BRADENTON, Fla. — Jordy Mercer shakes his head at the notion.

The 31-year-old shortstop is now the Pittsburgh Pirates’ elder statesman in terms of continuous service in the organization. Mercer was the Pirates’ third-round pick in the 2008 amateur draft from Oklahoma State and reached the major leagues four years later.

Mercer inherited the title from center fielder Andrew McCutchen in January when the Pirates traded the 2013 NL MVP and five-time All-Star to the San Francisco Giants. McCutchen was Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 2005.

“I look around and I’m the last guy here, which is kind of weird feeling,” Mercer said at the Pirates’ spring training camp. “It’s a good feeling, too, to know that they still want me around after all these years.”

Mercer has been a steady if unspectacular presence in the Pirates’ lineup since taking over as the starter midway through the 2013 seasons. Pittsburgh made the first of three consecutive postseason appearances that year and Mercer has hit .256 with 49 home runs over six seasons while playing solid defense.

“He’s a man who is well-respected in that clubhouse,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He shows up every day and you know what to expect.”

Not much is expected of the Pirates in 2018. They are coming off back-to-back losings seasons --- giving them 22 sub-.500 finishes in the last 25 years --- and dealt ace right-hander Gerrit Cole to Houston.