The San Diego Padres knew last year that they would need Jackson Merrill to transition to the outfield if he wanted to make a big league roster. That's why he played five games in left field while in Double-A.
Now, with Merrill participating in his first major league spring training and the Padres' depth chart perilously short on outfielders, Merrill's position change is a major focal point of camp.
“It’s not that much of a difference to me. It’s an athlete position, you know. It’s just something you just do.”
Merrill is the organization's second-ranked prospect and came up as a shortstop. But, with an infield set with veterans, the Padres are taking a similar approach with Merrill as they did with Fernando Tatis Jr.
Merrill is further along with outfield acclimation in Spring Training than Tatis Jr. was this time last season.
Raw athleticism doesn't necessarily mean Merrill will win a Gold Glove in 2024, but he could see himself on the big league roster at some point.
“When you go to the outfield, you’ve got to learn some fundamentals like head turns and how to catch the ball at the wall. But other than that, just be athletic, be loose, just go catch it.”
There is plenty of work to be done. Merrill has yet to play the outfield in a spring training game. For now, the 20-year-old is all in for making the switch.
“I’m completely all for it. I don’t really think there’s too much difference between playing in a big-league stadium and playing in a minor-league stadium. Obviously, there’s more people and the ball might get hit a little harder (in the majors). And you’re gonna be dealing with a lot — like different atmospheres. But it’s left field in Double-A at Nelson Wolff stadium; it’s left field at Petco Park. It’s the same thing. It’s center field in both spots. … I just feel like (it is a matter of) getting my eyes ready to go there. Take reps, get live reps in BP, get accustomed to the stadium and then, honestly, it’s all uphill from there.”
While this year's plan is for Merrill to be in the outfield, he is still keeping his infield skill sharp. The Padres could move him back to the dirt beyond the 2024 season, particularly with incumbent Ha-Seong Kim potentially hitting the free agent market if either he or the Padres decline their side of a mutual option.
Merrill might see his first big league playing time as soon as Thursday in the Padres' Cactus League opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
More must-reads: