EXL: David Mergans moves to Tempo Praha
We witnessed another interesting move in Czech Extraliga. Pitcher David Mergans moves from the reigning champions to the runner ups Tempo Praha.
The rumors swirled about Mergans changing clubs in the previous year, especially considering the player himself moved to the capital, where he currently works. This motivation was admitted by the player himself. “Since I started a good career in Prague, where I work was a creative manager, it was an easy choice I will want to do it full-time. Thanks to the baseball collection I designed I was contacted by Botas brand and we agreed on a collaboration. It was clear that if I want to do the job full-time I will have to play for a team in the city where I work. So we talked about the move with Draci and Tempo. The reason is not some disagreement with the club. It was one of the most difficult decisions in my life, because Draci were like a second family to me. Naturally, I also have many friends in Tempo, and I like their team spirit,” said David Mergans.
David Mergans already trained with Tempo in the previous season, despite playing for Draci. In the end, he won the title with Draci and he has the same ambitions for the upcoming season. “I come from the team where we won titles, and that’s [the desire] I feel in Tempo,” adds the young pitcher. He had his worst season in Extraliga, finishing with ERA 6.70 in 43 IP. In 2020 and 2021 Mergans didn’t go above ERA 2.00 which earned him a chance to play in Italian Serie B, where he played for Milano in 2022.
“I would like to thank the entire Draci organization. All the coaches, the management, and the players with whom I played. Were it not for them, I am not where I am now, and I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my dreams with baseball. I appreciate it a lot and I will for the rest of my life. It was not easy for me to leave the club,” adds Mergans the message for the Brno club.
