Merkel Signs Contract with Milwaukee Brewers Organization
July 20, 2022 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
Missoula MT - The Missoula PaddleHeads Professional Baseball Club steamrolled there way through the first half of the regular season on their way toward to first half pennant in the Pioneer League. The offense for Missoula was lethal through the first half with players like Jayson Newman, and Lamar Sparks leading the way. But the mound was also a strongpoint as the PaddleHeads lead the league in ERA, and strikeouts through the first half. A lot of players had a hand in this success. But no pitcher on the staff would have the success that rookie Nick Merkel did.
The Spokane native immediately made an impact with Missoula as their most consistent arm through a large portion of the first half of the season in their starting rotation winning in each of his first 5 starts on the hill. Merkel would intimidate batters with his tall frame on the mound and never seemed to be intimidated by any moment that was laid before him. The first year professional never looked like one. For his efforts, Merkel will now get an opportunity to chase his big league dreams after signing a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers system. In the process, Merkel joins former PaddleHeads reliever Joey Lancellotti as the second pitcher this season from the PaddleHeads to sign with an affiliated contract. Lancellotti was signed by the New York Mets.
Success for Merkel would be plentiful immediately as a PaddleHeads starter as the Central Methodist product would never allow more than 3 runs in any of his six starts with Missoula.
Furthermore, Merkel would pitch into at least the 5th inning in each of his 6 starts. After the dust settled in the half, Merkel would finish with the lowest ERA (2.79) of any starting pitcher in the league (minimum 5 starts).
PaddleHeads manager Michael Schlact had a front row seat to each of Merkel's 6 starts in a PaddleHeads uniform and watched the young gun blossom into the next big thing in the process. The loss of Merkel may not be something that benefits this current iteration of the PaddleHeads. However, the Georgia native was thrilled to give Merkel the opportunity to show everyone in 'The Show' that he belongs, and that he will get an opportunity to shine at the next level.
"This type of promotion is the reason that we are here," Schlact said. "The reason I bring players here to Missoula is to give them an opportunity to move on to the next level if they want
to do so. I am humbled that he placed his trust in us to help him do that. He is the one that went out there and made it happen. But it really means a lot that he decided to use Missoula as his platform to prove that he can have success at the next level."
Merkel joins PaddleHeads reliever Joey Lancellotti that also finalized a contract with the New York Mets organization after the conclusion of the Major League Baseball Amateur draft that wrapped up on Tuesday. The North Carolina product had been linked to the Mets before Tuesday, but could not officially finalize the contract until after the conclusion of the draft. The former Tar Hell did not allow a single baserunner in either of his 2 outings out of the pen for the PaddleHeads.
Merkel's meteoric rise from a small NAIA program, to affiliated baseball over the past 6 weeks has been a special thing to watch. Merkel never wavered in his journey toward affiliated baseball, humbling every opponent he faced on the hill. Furthermore, he adds to the success stories that have come from Missoula. Not only are the PaddleHeads building championship rosters for success in this league, they are also giving players the opportunity to show that they can dominate at the next level as well. So for 'Big Merk' the Brewers system awaits him. It will not be an easy road ahead. But Merkel just may be a pitcher to take on the challenge head on in his run toward the big leagues.
Catch the PaddleHeads (36-12) in action in the second half of the regular season on Wednesday night opposite the Ogden Raptors (29-20). This battle between the top 2 teams from each division of the Pioneer League is set to begin at 7:15 p.m. Hear the call on ESPN Missoula 102.9 F.M.
Pioneer League Stories from July 20, 2022
- Merkel Signs Contract with Milwaukee Brewers Organization - Missoula PaddleHeads
- Pioneer Baseball League's Mid-Season Tryout Camp Nearly Sold Out - PL
- Vibes Drop Second Half Opener to Owlz - Rocky Mountain Vibes
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