Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Born in Puerto Rico but raised in the Dominican Republic, Mercedes was one of the top players on the international market when the signing period opened in January 2022. The Twins gave him $1.7 million to join the organization and he pushed past a hamstring issue to be one of the best offensive performers in the Dominican Summer League, finishing with a .975 OPS. His move to the United States and the Florida Complex League in 2023 did not go as well as he struggled with his approach while dealing with a nagging shoulder issue all summer.

The Twins are optimistic they’ll see more of the DSL version of Mercedes now that he’s fully done rehabbing his right shoulder. He has plenty of tools to tap into, starting with outstanding bat speed. As he matures, the 6-foot-2 outfielder should grow into a whole lot of home run power, especially if he can get back to a solid gameplan at the plate, having shown better pitch recognition and swing decisions in the Dominican.

Mercedes runs very well and is aggressive on the basepaths -- he stole 30 bags in 41 DSL games in 2022 -- and he has the chance to stick in center field. He did see some time in right in the FCL, which could become his eventual home if he outgrows center. Assuming his shoulder bounces back, he has the kind of hose that could fit well there and could grow into the corner outfield run-producing offensive profile as well.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

When the 2022 international signing period opened, Mercedes was one of the most highly rated outfielders in the class. A Puerto Rican native who grew up in the Dominican Republic, thus making him eligible to sign, received $1.7 million from the Twins when things got going in mid-January. Though he was initially slowed by a hamstring issue, he dominated the Dominican Summer League during his debut, finishing in the top 10 in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and stolen bases.

Mercedes is a veritable tool chest and it was encouraging to see him access them in competition right out of the gate. The projectable 6-foot-2 outfielder has tremendous raw power and impressed evaluators with his swing decisions in the DSL, showing a natural feel for the barrel and some strike-zone knowledge, even if his swing and overall approach are still a bit raw. It’s more extra-base thump right now, but there’s a good chance that will develop into plenty of over-the-fence pop as he physically matures and continues to develop his game plan. He runs well and is aggressive on the basepaths.

Big and physical, Mercedes will continue to play as much center field as possible as he comes stateside. There is a chance he’ll outgrow the position and need to slide to a corner, but his easily plus arm, not to mention his potential offensive production, should profile fine in right.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Mercedes was actually born in Puerto Rico but was raised in the Dominican Republic, and was thus eligible to sign when the 2022 international signing period opened in January. Ranked No. 17 on MLB Pipeline's Top 50 international prospects list at the time, Mercedes signed with the Twins on Jan. 17 four $1.7 million. He’s beginning his pro career in the Dominican Summer League, though he was slowed out of the gate with a hamstring issue.

The 17-year-old Mercedes had some of the best raw tools in this international class and has shown some ability to get to them in games. With an athletic and projectable 6-foot-2 frame, Mercedes’ raw power stands out the most right now. He has the chance to drive the ball from the right side of the plate and could end up having better-than-average power as he fills out that frame and physically matures. He has the potential to be a solid all-around hitter as he learns to refine his approach. Mercedes moves well for his size, and his speed should be an asset on the basepaths.

It also helps him cover a lot of ground in the outfield, with a chance to stay in center field long term, though like most young outfield prospects, there is work to be done on his reads, routes and angles in the outfield. Should he outgrow the position, he should have enough arm and an offensive profile to fit as an athletic right fielder type in the future.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Mercedes has some of the best tools in this year’s class, but it’s his ability to use those tools in games that’s helped him become one of the most intriguing prospects on the international market.

The teen has a chance to be an everyday center fielder in the future, in part because of his run tool and his plus speed. Mercedes, like most outfield prospects his age, is working on fine-tuning his routes and angles in the outfield, but he covers a lot of ground and sports a decent arm that projects to be slightly above average as he develops.

At the plate, he projects to be an average hitter with average power, which are both good enough to keep him in the starting lineup if he continues to develop at a normal pace.

Mercedes played in the Dominican Prospect League. He currently trains with Hector Evertz, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program. The Twins are the favorite to sign him.

Awards

FCL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

FCL Player of the Week

Week	Team
05/19/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/24/2024	Fort Myers Mighty Mussels activated OF Yasser Mercedes from the 7-day injured list.
	08/14/2024	Fort Myers Mighty Mussels placed OF Yasser Mercedes on the 7-day injured list.
	07/25/2024	OF Yasser Mercedes assigned to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels from FCL Twins.
	07/25/2024	Fort Myers Mighty Mussels activated OF Yasser Mercedes.
	06/05/2023	OF Yasser Mercedes assigned to FCL Twins.
	06/22/2022	DSL Twins activated OF Yasser Mercedes from the 7-day injured list.
	06/06/2022	DSL Twins placed OF Yasser Mercedes on the 7-day injured list.
	06/03/2022	OF Yasser Mercedes assigned to DSL Twins.
	01/15/2022	Minnesota Twins signed free agent OF Yasser Mercedes to a minor league contract.