Beloved ex-Cubs prospect given new lease on career in NL West

Nearly a week after he was released by the Miami Marlins, former Chicago Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis has found a new home in the National League West. Mervis has signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the beloved former Cubs' prospect will report to Triple-A Reno.

Signing with the Diamondbacks was a smart play for Mervis. Among the moves that the Diamondbacks made at the deadline was moving first baseman Josh Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suarez to the Seattle Mariners.

Tyler Locklear was among the prospects the Diamondbacks received from the Mariners, and he has had a slow start to his career in Arizona. Locklear was off to a slow start upon his arrival in Arizona, but he has turned the corner in recent games. Locklear has multi-hit games in each of his last two games, including a home run.

Still, with the Diamondbacks' focus shifting to beyond this season, there remains a chance that Mervis gets some run with the Major League team before the end of the season.

Cubs fan favorite gets new career lifeline out west

Mervis got off to a hot start with the Marlins this season, hitting 7 home runs during the first month of the season. There were still major holes, however, in Mervis' offensive profile as he was striking out at a 37 percent clip and hitting under .200. Mervis' inability to make consistent contact was part of the reason why the Cubs decided to trade him to the Marlins last offseason.

As was the case with the Cubs, Mervis proved this season that he is more than capable of hitting Triple-A pitching. With the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate this season, Mervis had 13 home runs in 145 plate appearances with a wRC+ of 137.

Mervis has the trajectory of being a Four-A player. A good hitter at the Triple-A level, but not able to put it together at the Major League level.

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