Dec. 4, 2019 - After two years of serving as the engine for the Concordia University Chicago baseball team, shortstop Jose Mercado's route to professional baseball begins with him hopping aboard the train in Northwest Indiana. Mercado recently signed a contract for the 2020 season with the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.

One of three players from Medellin, Colombia to come to Concordia-Chicago in the fall of 2017, Mercado electrified not only the CUC program but the national Division III level as well. He batted .367 in 102 games over two seasons, quickly becoming one of the most feared leadoff men around. Mercado set several new season records for CUC hitters, also ranking among the national leaders in hits with 70 (second), stolen bases with 46 (first) and times hit by pitch with 29 (first). 

Mercado's postseason awards include a pair of All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference honors - a second-team honor for 2018 and a first-team honor for 2019. Both seasons, Mercado earned a third-team All-Region honor from both the American Baseball Coaches Association and d3baseball.com.

Mercado's tremendous skills as a leadoff hitter drew much attention, but Kolin Conner, CUC head baseball coach, also noted the shortstop's defensive abilities and increased power numbers in 2019. "Jose just kept getting better every day in all aspects of the game and was doing everything you could ask." said Conner. "I believe he still has room to grow. He deserves a chance to play at the next level, and we're excited that he has a chance to do so with the RailCats."

Mercado will become the fourth Cougar player this millennium to play minor-league ball after Jim Paduch (2001-03 at CUC), Jack Walker (2006-09) and Keaton Conner (2017-18).