Matt Merullo
Born: 8/4/1965 in Winchester, MA, USA
MLB Debut: 1989-04-12 | Final Game: 1995-09-29
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Matthew Bates Merullo
Biography
Matt Merullo, born in 1965, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1989 to 1995. Over his career, he appeared in 223 games, showcasing his skills primarily as a catcher and utility player. Merullo made a name for himself in a transitional era of baseball, where the game was beginning to shift toward more offensive strategies, although he was not known for his power hitting. He finished his career with 116 hits, 7 home runs, and 59 RBIs, culminating in a batting average of .234.
Throughout his time in Major League Baseball, Merullo played for several teams, including the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets, contributing to their rosters with versatility and a solid defensive presence behind the plate. Despite not being a major offensive force, his understanding of the game and ability to play multiple positions made him a valuable teammate during his tenure. Merullo's career, spanning across the early 1990s, reflects the evolving landscape of baseball, where players were increasingly called upon to adapt to various roles within the team framework.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 223 | 496 | 37 | 116 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 59 | 0 | 32 | 69 | 0.234 | 0.281 | 0.319 | 0.600 | -1202.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | CHW | AL | 31 | 81 | 5 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 0.222 | -283.2 |
| 1991 | CHW | AL | 80 | 140 | 8 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 21 | 0 | 9 | 18 | 0.229 | -393.2 |
| 1992 | CHW | AL | 24 | 50 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.180 | -310.3 |
| 1993 | CHW | AL | 8 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.050 | 0.0 |
| 1994 | CLE | AL | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
| 1995 | MIN | AL | 76 | 195 | 19 | 55 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 14 | 27 | 0.282 | -216.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 18 | 10 | 85 | 8 | 1 | 10 |
| C | 120 | 87 | 475 | 32 | 10 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | CHA | C | 27 | 21 | 100 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | CHA | C | 27 | 13 | 79 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 1991 | CHA | 1B | 16 | 10 | 80 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| 1992 | CHA | C | 16 | 12 | 64 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1994 | CLE | C | 4 | 4 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | MIN | C | 46 | 37 | 210 | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| 1995 | MIN | 1B | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 120 |
| First Base | 18 |
| Designated Hitter | 27 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | MIN | AL | $200,000 |
| 1994 | CLE | AL | $160,000 |
| 1993 | CHA | AL | $150,000 |
| 1992 | CHA | AL | $140,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $650,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | NC | 1984, 1985, 1986 |