Matt Mervis DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins first baseman Matt Mervis will get a "long look" during spring training. The Marlins acquired Mervis from the Chicago Cubs earlier this season in exchange for infielder Vidal Brujan. Mervis was once regarded as one of the top prospects in the Chicago system but struggled over the past two seasons. Across 36 games at the MLB level, Mervis posted a .155/.222/.259 line with three home runs. He took a significant step back at the Triple-A level last summer as he held a .235/.329/.434 slash line with 15 long balls. This was a sharp decline from the .282/.399/.533 line he held at the Triple-A level during the 2023 campaign. Jackson noted that Mervis will compete with Jonah Bride for the starting role but could also find a path to playing as a designated hitter if he has a successful spring training.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Miami Marlins are acquiring first baseman Matt Mervis from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Vidal Brujan. The 26-year-old was a former top prospect in the Chicago system but was never able to put it together in the majors. However, in the minor leagues, the first baseman showcased high upside at times. Across 241 games at the Triple-A level, Mervis posted a .269/.371/.511 slash line with 52 home runs, 54 doubles, and a 130:244 BB:K. However, in the majors, the infielder held an underwhelming .155/.222/.259 line. He tallied just three hits across 36 contests. Mervis should contend for a spot on the Marlins Opening Day roster but will likely open the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level.

Chicago Cubs first baseman prospect Matt Mervis hit his eighth home run of the season and third in his past two games on Sunday for Triple-A Iowa. The 26-year-old is hitting .474 (9-for-19) in the last five games since being sent back to Triple-A. Unfortunately, the left-handed hitter hasn't hit well during his time with the big league club, going 15-for-90 (.167) in 2023 and 3-for-26 (.115) in 2024. With Michael Busch excelling and blocking him at first base, Mervis was used as designated hitter while with the Cubs, but they decided to give Miles Mastrobuoni a shot when they sent Mervis back down. Mastrobuoni hasn't seen any more success, hitting .150 over 20 at-bats. If Mervis can keep it up, it's probably not the last time we see him in Chicago this year.

Chicago Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is serving as the designated hitter and batting eighth in his season debut for the Cubs against the Houston Astros and right-hander J.P. France. The Cubs' No. 13 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, could see regular playing time at DH in Chicago, at least until outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) returns from the injured list. The 26-year-old Mervis was taken in the 39th round by the Washington Nationals in 2016. He hit .167 (15-for-90) with three home runs and 11 RBI in his first 27 major-league games in 2023 and had gone 19-for-66 (.288) with five homers and 13 RBI in 18 games for Iowa this year before his call-up. Mervis is hitless in his two career at-bats against France.

Chicago Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis has been off to a nice start for Triple-A Iowa this season. The first baseman didn't break camp with the club, but has responded with a .333 batting average to go along with four homers and 10 RBI over his first 48 at-bats. Mervis has shown plenty of power in the minor leagues and that earned him a promotion in 2023, but he was struggled and was sent back down to finish the year in Iowa. Cubs first baseman Michael Busch has been on fire and the club has corner infielder Patrick Wisdom (back) working his way back to health, but with Seiya Suzuki (oblique) sidelined, there is a chance that Mervis could force his bat onto the roster as a bench bat or DH option should the offense struggle at the big-league level. For now, Mervis remains in Iowa, but he is an intriguing power bat for managers to keep an eye on.