Jordy Mercer is batting .341 in Grapefruit League action after going 3-for-4 against Atlanta on Thursday.

Mercer is batting .341 in Grapefruit League action after going 3-for-4 against Atlanta on Thursday.

Analysis:

He has distanced himself from newcomer Jung-Ho Kang in the competition for Pittsburgh's starting shortstop spot. Mercer will be looking to put together a complete season after struggling the first two months of 2014. He holds a .314/.349/.455 slash line in 129 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching.