Matt Mervis rejoined his Chicago Cubs teammates at spring training following a special experience with Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic.
The experience will be etched in his mind forever.
“I’m just honored to have had the opportunity,” Mervis told reporters.
Team Israel went 1-3 but defeated Nicaragua, 3-1.
Though Mervis went 1-for-13 in the WBC, the chance to represent his country was special.
“It just shows that I still have a lot of work to do,” Mervis said. “I thought I had some good at-bats, but also didn’t have great success. So it was a learning experience, for sure. And I got to work with some great coaches and other players.
“But I also realized that if I’m going to play every day at the big league level like I want to, then I have things that I need to work on.”
Mervis had a stellar season at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A as he slashed .309/.379/.606. He produced 30 home runs and 119 RBI and proved his mettle at every level.
The Cubs expanded their depth in the offseason, so even if Mervis doesn’t start in Wrigley Field, opportunities will be available down the road.
“The main thing with Matt is he got a really cool experience playing in the WBC,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “Playing against some really good competition, some of the best in the world in that environment, is really important and an experience that I think you wish everybody could go through.
“We’ll let him get back here, have his at-bats and see where things fall. It’s nice to have him back in camp.”
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