Yerminator mania is over…for now. In a flurry of roster moves, the Chicago White Sox announced that they were optioning Yermin Mercedes to Triple-A Charlotte. Mercedes was hitting .271/.328/.404. He has been one of the most polarizing players on the White Sox this season.

From Rookie Of The Month To Long Slump

The 28-year old rookie took the baseball world by storm with his historic start to the season. He started the season a perfect 8-for 8. That set a record for the most consecutive hits to start a season. The most by a player in the modern era since 1900. His production carried over towards the end of the month. He finished April with a .415/.455/.659 slash line and a 1.113 OPS. He also launched five home runs and hit five doubles in the 22 games he has played in April. Mercedes earned American League Rookie of the Month honors for his efforts.

Mercedes became an instant fan favorite. He was given the nickname “The Yerminator” and soon had tee-shirts bearing his nickname, and even a burger named after him. But Mercedes soon began to come down to earth. He was scolded publicly by manager Tony La Russa after hitting a home run on a 3-0 count off a position player. This created a media firestorm that continued the next day when Twins pitcher, Tyler Duffy intentionally hit him with a pitch and La Russa failed to defend him.

Since the incident Mercedes hit .150/.220/.196. This included on 0-25 hitless stretch that ended with a walk-off single against the Tigers on June 3rd. He still couldn’t shake the drought batting a mere .155 over his last 30 games.

While his batting average had plummeted, Mercedes began to figure it out, putting together some nice at-bats in the last week of June. According to Len Kasper on the ESPN radio broadcast, that is what made sending him down so difficult for Tony La Russa who said he was beginning to regain his form from April. The White Sox made the move because they felt they needed a little more positional versatility on defense. Mercedes has served mostly as a DH with the occasional appearance at catcher in garbage time.

Mercedes compares being sent down to 9/11

After being demoted Mercedes took to Instagram and said “Las Torres Gemelas Se Cayeron Y New York Sigue Siendo New York.” This translated to “The Twin Towers fell down and New York is still New York.” While comparing 9/11 to being optioned to Triple-A is not the best look optically, Mercedes probably did not mean to be insensitive. The point of the message is that Yermin Mercedes is going to keep being Yermin, something he credited his success to in April.

Hahn expects Mercedes to return

The move could be beneficial for Mercedes. He will get the opportunity to have consistent at-bats every day with less pressure. Once he regains his stroke and the White Sox get healthier there is a good chance will see him again. Mercedes is used to overcoming adversity. He spent a decade bouncing around the minor leagues with stops in Independent ball and the Dominican Winter League along the way. At one point Mercedes thought about quitting. But after persistence and perseverance, he made his way to the show.

Rick Hahn said he “fully expects” to see Yermin Mercedes on the 25-man roster again this season. Depending on how things shake out with Jake Burger it’s possible that he could be reinstated once Yoan Moncada returns from a bruised right hand.