Chicago Cubs Top Prospect Makes Admission Following First MLB Home Run

Chicago Cubs top prospect Matt Mervis made an admission following his first MLB home run against the Houston Astros.

Matt Mervis hopes it will be the first of many baseballs which land over the fence.

The Chicago Cubs’ top prospect hit his first career home run in their 7-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

In the second inning, Mervis crushed a four-seamer from Houston’s Cristian Javier off the right field pole.

“I was swinging the bat and I felt good, so just letting it fly,” Mervis told reporters. “I’m just trying to adjust to how I’m getting attacked and just keep making those adjustments.”

Before Tuesday’s loss, the 25-year-old Mervis was slashing .219/.265/.250 with 14 strikeouts and two walks in 34 plate appearances.

Then he popped a homer against one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball.

“It felt good. You said it: Out of the way,” Mervis said. “Obviously that’s something you try not to think about, but that’s also part of the reason why I’m here. So, just get it out of the way. And now it’s not a thought anymore.”

Manager David Ross remains unfazed with Mervis’ slow start.

It’s never an easy adjustment from the Minor Leagues to MLB.

“I don't see him pressing or trying too hard,” Ross said. “It’s the same guy. The at-bats, the defense, all that stuff seems to be pretty consistent with what he's shown us so far. It’s early. We’ll continue to watch it, if anything gets off, but I haven’t seen a whole lot of him. I just want him to go out there and be himself.”

Mervis did that on Tuesday. At every stop, he has shown the ability to hit consistently and with power.

This home run off Javier will go a long way to boost Mervis’ confidence. That fact can’t be emphasized enough.

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