Mercer’s Massi inks free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals

MACON, Ga. (MERCER ATHLETICS RELEASE) – Former Mercer baseball shortstop Michael Massi got a chance to continue his baseball career in the professional ranks when he signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday evening.

Massi was playing Independent Ball for the Gateway Grizzlies in the Frontier League before agreeing to terms with the Cardinals late on Thursday night.

Massi will have to travel to Jupiter, Florida first to pass a physical and sign some last minute paperwork before being assigned to the GCL Cardinals in the Gulf Coast Rookie League next week.

Mercer now has five players currently active in the MLB Minor League system including Cory Gearrin (MLB – Atlanta Braves), Billy Burns (AA Ball – Oakland Athletics), Chesny Young (Rookie Ball – Chicago Cubs), Brandon Barker (Rookie Ball – Atlanta Braves) and Massi.

Massi had a breakout senior season for Mercer posting a .346 batting average while ranking in the top-10 in the A-Sun Conference in several statistical categories including runs scored (T-6th – 51), hits (T-8th – 74), on-base percentage (9th – .424) and total bases (10th – 106).

The Powder Springs, Ga. native was also stellar defensively for the Bears in 2014 as he finished with a .982 fielding percentage from his shortstop position while breaking the Mercer single-season assist record, with 196, that was previously set by Jeff Thompson in 1983.