The San Diego Padres have traded away a boatload of young talent over the years, but made the right call in hanging onto Jackson Merrill.
The former shortstop prospect turned center fielder has been a revelation for the Padres, serving as a vital piece of their organization, both in the present and for the future.
Merrill enjoyed a fantastic rookie season in 2024, hitting .292/.326/.500 with 31 doubles, six triples, 24 home runs, 90 RBI and 16 stolen bases while playing in 154 games. It earned him an All-Star Game selection, Silver Slugger Award and spot on the All-MLB Second Team.
In any other season, Merrill would have been named National League Rookie of the Year, but he had the misfortune of being in the same class as Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.
The Padres identified Merrill as one of their franchise cornerstones and signed him to a nine-year, $135 million contract extension on April 2.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have already become well acquainted with Merrill, whether during the regular season or NL Division Series last year.
“Jackson, man, he’s good for the game. He’s great for the Padres, I love watching him play, I love the energy,” manager Dave Roberts recently said. “Wish he was wearing a different uniform, because we’re going to have to deal with him for a long time. But I love watching him play. Love it.”
Merrill is enjoying another stellar season in 2025, with a .304 batting average, .823 on-base plus slugging percentage and 132 wRC+. In the first series of the season between the Dodgers and the Padres, Merrill delivered four hits in 11 at-bats, two walks, three RBI and two runs scored.
However, Merrill stood no chance against Kiké Hernández, who delivered the Padres’ All-Star the “nastiest cutter” he’s ever faced.
“I think that’s the only way to get Jackson out, is throw under the hitting speed and throw 48 mile-an-hour cutters,” Roberts jokingly said.
Jackson Merrill’s stats against Dodgers
With the way that Merrill has performed against the Dodgers in his young career, it’s no wonder Roberts doesn’t look forward to facing him for many years to come.
In 15 career games against the Dodgers, Merrill is hitting .351 with a home run, 7 RBI and 10 runs scored over 57 at-bats.
Roberts and the Dodgers will get some reprieve this week as Merrill is currently on the seven-day concussion injured list after a hard tag from Ketel Marte on Saturday knocked his helmet into his face.
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