3 players from the 2021 White Sox who are failing miserably elsewhere

Yermin Mercedes is a hot mess

Mercedes had been a minor league fixture since 2011 through the Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago White Sox systems. In 2020, Mercedes was promoted to the White Sox and played in a game, but was given more of an opportunity in 2021.

In the 26 games Mercedes had with the club, he hit .271/.328/.404 with seven home runs and 37 RBI.

Mercedes had a break-out stretch but ultimately clashed with White Sox old-school Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa who did not appreciate Mercedes not adhering to the unwritten rules of the game. After the fallout, Mercedes’ average dipped from .364 to .271 and he was demoted to AAA Charlotte. Later on in the month, he was sent back to Charlotte, he threatened via Instagram to take an indefinite leave from the game but reported back to Charlotte the next day.

He stayed in Charlotte until June 12 when the White Sox designated him for assignment. Check out his celebration here. On June 18, the San Francisco Giants picked him up off of waivers hoping Mercedes just needed a change in scenery. He did get promoted to San Francisco where he played in two games, hitting .250. He did get sent back to their AAA team in Sacramento.

While he certainly had an impressive stretch in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox, it’s easy to see why he has been in the minor leagues for so long. He has the talent but lacks the maturity needed to remain with the big leagues.

Here’s hoping Mercedes buckles down to earn another opportunity with the Giants.