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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Workers Author
PEORIA, Ariz. — San Diego Padres supervisor Mike Shildt stopped simply wanting declaring that shortstop prospect Jackson Merrill has already locked down an on a regular basis position in his outfield, despite the fact that it has change into pretty apparent all through camp. All he would say Tuesday is that the 20-year-old shortstop-turned-center fielder can be on the Padres’ season-opening journey to South Korea.
“He is earned his manner on the aircraft,” Shildt mentioned shortly after watching Merrill hit an opposite-field dwelling run off All-Star starter Zac Gallen. “He is earned what’s coming after the aircraft.”
The Padres started spring coaching with solely two outfielders on their 40-man roster and promised to offer Merrill each alternative to solidify a daily position, despite the fact that he has performed in solely 46 video games above Class A.
Merrill, ESPN’s Twelfth-ranked prospect to start the season, got here up as a shortstop and started taking part in left area towards the tail finish of the 2023 minor league season. His time this spring has come nearly solely in middle area, a place he had by no means performed till coaching there this offseason. Scouts who’ve watched Merrill all through spring coaching say he has dealt with himself properly there, however what has actually stood out to them is his bat.
Merrill has hit .343/.395/.600 by 38 Cactus League plate appearances, with a number of laborious outs sprinkled in. His dwelling run Tuesday was his second in as many days.
“I am not being self-centered, however that is what I ought to do,” Merrill mentioned. “I ought to have a very good AB, be able to swing, be able to hit. They arrive at you. [Gallen] got here at me with a fastball, and I used to be able to go. I am not going to speak something unhealthy on his title — he is an ideal pitcher — however I used to be able to go at that time.”
A late-rising highschool prospect out of Maryland, Merrill was drafted by the Padres with the twenty seventh general decide in 2021, then watched his elite bat-to-ball expertise translate to the skilled ranks. Merrill has hit .295/.347/.455 in 200 minor league video games at three ranges within the Padres’ system, although he has but to succeed in Triple-A.
His age and lack of upper-level expertise, to not point out his transition to a international place, made Merrill’s prospects for Opening Day look like an extended shot. However Merrill has produced — at a time when the Padres, who traded Trent Grisham and Juan Soto over the offseason, have a transparent want. Quickly, he is anticipated to affix Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones as the one gamers since 1974 to start out in middle area on Opening Day earlier than turning 21.
Provided that, Shildt was requested if Merrill had exceeded his expectations.
“No, Jackson has not exceeded my expectations,” Shildt mentioned. “I do not put a cap on gamers, together with Jackson. This man’s a particular expertise. I used to be happy for him, it was enjoyable to observe, nevertheless it was not shocking. This man is a very good participant.”
