Orlando Mercado
Born: 11/7/1961 in Arecibo, P.R.
MLB Debut: 1982-09-13 | Final Game: 1990-09-30
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Biography
Orlando Mercado, born in 1961, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1982 until his retirement on September 30, 1990. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 253 games, where he recorded 112 hits, 7 home runs, and 45 RBIs, culminating in a batting average of .199. Mercado demonstrated his speed on the bases with 4 stolen bases, showcasing a dimension of his game that complemented his offensive contributions.
Mercado's career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, characterized by a shift towards more power-oriented play and a growing emphasis on speed and athleticism. While his batting average was below the league norm, he was known for his defensive skills and versatility on the field. Despite not achieving significant statistical milestones, Mercado's presence in the major leagues contributed to the rich tapestry of the game during the late 1980s, a time when many players were overcoming challenges in the rapidly evolving landscape of professional baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 253 | 562 | 40 | 112 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 45 | 4 | 42 | 82 | 0.199 | 0.259 | 0.281 | 0.541 | -1605.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | SEA | AL | 9 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.118 | 0.0 |
| 1983 | SEA | AL | 66 | 178 | 10 | 35 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 14 | 27 | 0.197 | -748.8 |
| 1984 | SEA | AL | 30 | 78 | 5 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0.218 | -293.6 |
| 1986 | TEX | AL | 46 | 102 | 7 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 0.235 | -372.4 |
| 1987 | DET | AL | 10 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.136 | 0.0 |
| 1987 | LAD | NL | 7 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.600 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | OAK | AL | 16 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0.125 | 0.0 |
| 1989 | MIN | AL | 19 | 38 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0.105 | 0.0 |
| 1990 | WSN | NL | 8 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1990 | NYN | NL | 42 | 90 | 10 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 0.211 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 247 | 177 | 1141 | 91 | 9 | 12 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | SEA | C | 8 | 5 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | SEA | C | 65 | 59 | 342 | 27 | 2 | 2 |
| 1984 | SEA | C | 29 | 21 | 118 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | TEX | C | 45 | 31 | 240 | 25 | 1 | 5 |
| 1987 | DET | C | 10 | 8 | 40 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 1987 | LAN | C | 7 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | OAK | C | 16 | 8 | 45 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | MIN | C | 19 | 14 | 73 | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| 1990 | MON | C | 8 | 3 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | NYN | C | 40 | 27 | 213 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 247 |
| Designated Hitter | 1 |