(670 The Score) Amid a prolonged slump in the latter half of May and June, White Sox rookie designated hitter Yermin Mercedes has appreciated manager Tony La Russa’s constant support.
“We talked about (staying positive) every day,” Mercedes said of La Russa’s influence. "He's the guy who has stood by me all the time. We play around with each other all the time. He helped me a little bit, because he tells me what I need to do to get better. When he tells me, I do what he asks. I have kept doing it. He is the old guy Hall of Famer. He helps everyone here. If you listen, you find out the more you can do.”
Mercedes’ comments were telling considering the run-in he and La Russa had in mid-May. After Mercedes hit a grand slam on a 3-0 pitch off a Twins position player with the take sign on in the ninth inning of the White Sox’s blowout win on May 17, La Russa criticized him for violating the unwritten rules of the game. La Russa went as far as to call Mercedes “clueless,” while Mercedes continually responded that he would continue to be himself as a player and person.
Shortly after that controversy, Mercedes’ slump began. In 27 games between May 22 and this past Saturday, Mercedes hit just .128 with a .356 OPS. Some have surmised that La Russa’s criticism contributed to Mercedes’ struggles, but Mercedes has been nothing but appreciative of what La Russa has done for him.
“He is, No. 1, behind everybody on the team,” Mercedes said. “He is the first one we see about everything. He is our boss right there. He makes the decisions and is the first guy for us.”
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Mercedes, 28, was named the American League Rookie of the Month in April, when he got off to a scorching hot start by hitting .415 with five homers and a 1.113 OPS. Since his slump began, Mercedes admitted he has pressed a bit too much.
"I have struggled a little bit, but I never put my head down,” Mercedes said. “I keep working hard every day. That is the key for me – just keep my head up. The hitting coaches have talked about not trying to do too much each at-bat. The last month, I have tried to do too much. They tell me to focus on each pitch and trust myself. They tell me I have good hands and a good mentality when I walk up to the home plate. The White Sox believe in me, and I believe in myself.”
La Russa has continued to give Mercedes consistent at-bats despite his struggles. On Sunday, Mercedes showed signs of breaking out of his slump, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs in a 7-5 win against the Mariners in the nightcap of a pair of games that the White Sox split. Mercedes is hitting .273 with seven homers, 37 RBIs and a .733 OPS in 67 games this season.
“Obviously he has talent,” La Russa said. “The talent he has is a solid swing base that includes line drives and power. You see it happen all over baseball where guys get a little distracted and want to hit each ball out of the park. The line drive becomes a pop-up or swing-and-miss. This was his first big opportunity and when the average started to drop, he got concerned. We encourage him and asked him to work. He is a talented guy. We need him.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.