Padres Make Unexpected Jackson Merrill Decision Before Diamondbacks Game

Outfielder Jackson Merrill is entering his second season as a member of the San Diego Padres. The 22-year-old was selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Padres and, after debuting last year, quickly established himself as both a star and a foundational building block for the franchise.

Merrill was drafted as a middle infielder—a role he’d played throughout his amateur and minor-league career—but during spring training, with Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts locking up the left side of the infield, San Diego asked him to learn the outfield. He embraced the challenge and found a way to excel at his new position immediately.

During his rookie campaign, Merrill finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting, earned his first All-Star selection, and even placed ninth in MVP voting. His combination of defensive versatility and emerging power made him one of the most exciting young talents in baseball.