After a breakout rookie year, rising star Jackson Merrill hopes a World Series title is next. Following a dramatic escape from elimination in the National League Division Series against a formidable San Diego rival, the Dodgers celebrated on the pitcher’s mound, leaving the Padres’ dugout nearly empty. Among those watching the festivities was the 21-year-old Merrill, who lingered to absorb the moment, unwilling to let the season end on that note.
Merrill, arms resting over the railing, gazed ahead with determination. “I don’t want to feel that feeling again,” he reflected, recalling the emotional weight of the past spring. “So I was taking in as much as possible, you know? Take in as much as possible, that feeling, so you can avoid it the next time.”
As he steps into his second year in Major League Baseball, Merrill is keen to turn the page—not just from the disappointing end of 2024 but also from the remarkable achievements of his rookie season. “It was fun,” he remarked, “but it’s all said and done with.”
At this time last year, Merrill was a 20-year-old shortstop prospect, unexpectedly given a chance in center field, a position he had never played before. Scouts admired his athleticism and versatility at the plate. Many believed his power would develop as he filled out his 6-foot-3-inch frame. By the end of the 2023 season, he had posted a .770 OPS and hit 15 home runs across High-A and Double-A leagues.
Fast forward to 2024, and he concluded an All-Star season with an impressive .826 OPS and 24 home runs, earning a Silver Slugger Award and finishing ninth in MVP voting as the Padres’ starting center fielder. “Some of the things we thought were coming in the future, he went and did it year one,” noted A.J. Preller, the president of baseball operations.
There was no element of luck in his success; his underlying metrics indicated that his performance could have been even better. This timely emergence was crucial for San Diego, especially after the team traded away key players like Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, entering spring training with uncertainty in two outfield positions. The addition of free agent Jurickson Profar provided some stability, as he transformed a one-year, $1 million contract into a career year at 31.
However, the most critical outfield position remained up for grabs. José Azocar was the only other outfielder on the roster, while prospects Graham Pauley and Jakob Marsee were also in the mix. Merrill, a top prospect with no experience above Double-A, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
Preller admitted he could not have anticipated how effectively Merrill would adapt. “He went and took it,” he said. “For us, we talk about accelerating the process of the gifted, but those guys have to go do it.” Despite his limited experience, Merrill appeared unfazed at the plate and in the outfield during spring training, making history by becoming one of only three players in the last 50 years to start on Opening Day in center field before turning 21, joining legends Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones.
On March 20 at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Merrill added his name to that prestigious list. “I didn’t think about it too much,” he said. “I really didn’t care if it was hard or not.”
As the season progressed, Merrill’s role evolved from a hopeful contender to a key player, solidifying his position and making a strong case for Rookie of the Year. He began the season batting ninth in the lineup but climbed to the fifth spot as his performance improved. His power surged mid-season, showcasing his adaptability.
“Anywhere on the field feels natural to me,” Merrill stated. “It wasn’t a huge challenge, but it definitely was one I was excited to go at. I’d been playing short for so long that, yeah, it sucks getting moved off. But at the same time, it’s a new opportunity.”
Among rookie position players, Merrill’s production stood out. He led all qualified rookies in hits, RBIs, batting average, and slugging, while tying for first in home runs and triples. His composure at the plate differentiated him from others.
“You see 0-for-4 or 0-for-8, and people go down,” remarked Padres hitting coach Victor Rodriguez. “He didn’t.” Rodriguez emphasized the support Merrill received from his teammates, which played a significant role in his success. “When you have that, it goes a long way. The guys really liked what he brought. They liked his energy. They liked the way he wanted to win.”
Merrill’s six game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later tied him with Frank Robinson for the most in a season by a player 21 or younger in the last century, including two walk-off homers. His consistent performance after the All-Star break propelled the Padres to a postseason berth with a league-leading 43-20 record.
In his first playoff experience, Merrill excelled, contributing with a double and a triple in the wild-card series and hitting a home run in the NLDS. He finished the season with a remarkable 5.3 fWAR, the highest among rookies. Had he played in the American League, he would have easily won the Rookie of the Year Award, but a historic pitching season from Paul Skenes overshadowed him in the National League.
Despite this, Merrill remained focused on the bigger picture, especially after witnessing the season conclude at Dodger Stadium. “It was really such a side award,” he admitted. “My focus the whole year was to win. And we didn’t win the World Series. After we lost the Division Series, Rookie of the Year went out of my mind.”
As spring training commenced, Merrill asserted, “I’m here to break camp with the team. I’m not here thinking I’m already on the squad.” Observers noted that his place on the roster was never in doubt, given his established status as one of the league’s premier outfielders.
Looking ahead, the question remains: Where does he go from here? Preller emphasized Merrill’s relentless pursuit of improvement. “He’s talked about it; he’s a guy that’s never satisfied,” he said. “Major league teams now, when they prepare for the Padres, he became one of the top guys you had to be ready to compete against.”
Rodriguez cautioned, “We’ve got to be careful with that. But overall, I think it’s a kid that’s smart, and he understands the things that he needs to do to be productive.” Merrill’s control of the strike zone and disciplined approach at the plate will be vital for his continued success.
Merrill expressed some frustration over not drawing a single walk during spring training, yet he still managed to slug .543 with four home runs in just 46 plate appearances. “When I hit it, it sounds a little different than it did last year,” he noted. “I think I just know my swing better than I did last year.”
This bodes well for a Padres team eager to capitalize on its core’s potential. Despite offseason departures, including Profar to Atlanta and Scott to the rival Dodgers, the trio of Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado remains a formidable force in the lineup. The Padres have reached the playoffs three times in the last five years but have advanced past the first round only once.
As he reflects on last season’s ending, with his head resting on his arms at Dodger Stadium, Merrill, who drove in four runs in the Padres’ season opener, is determined to change the narrative in 2025.
“Win a World Series, that’s always the next step,” he declared. “I mean, I could have personal achievements all the live long day, but it doesn’t matter if we’re not winning. That’s how I’ve played the game since I was born — it doesn’t matter what I’m doing on the field if we’re not winning.”
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Jackson Merrill
San Diego Padres
Major League Baseball
