Whit Merrifield‘s September rush follows a terrible crash in July in which he hit a miserable .170/.241/.245. The biggest problem for the Kansas City Royals was that Merrifield stuck out 17 times in 58 plate appearances. A 29.3% whiff rate just isn’t going to get it done for a middle infielder with mediocre power.
The slide cost Merrifield not only his starting gig at second base, but also his roster spot. The Kansas City Royals sent him down to AAA in favor of no. 1 prospect Raul Mondesi in late July.