[2] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Rays, logging a 1.69 ERA across 8 starts.

Mercado made 11 starts for the Low–A Hudson Valley Renegades in 2018, registering a 5.22 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 50 innings pitched.

[3] Late in 2018, Mercado suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entirety of the 2019 season.

[5] Mercado made 22 appearances (18 starts) for the High–A Bowling Green Hot Rods in 2021, recording a 5.35 ERA with 81 strikeouts over 70+2⁄3 innings.

[7] Mercado split the 2023 campaign between Montgomery and the Triple–A Durham Bulls, accumulating a 4.79 ERA with 95 strikeouts and 6 saves over 52 appearances.