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.
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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.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (3)Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
In his second season, Merrill has not maintained the elite performance levels he reached in 2024.
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Ahead of Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, manager Mike Shildt made the decision to move Merrill down to sixth in the batting order—the lowest spot he has occupied all season.
Through 60 games in 2025, Merrill is batting .263 with a .717 OPS, marking a significant drop-off from his breakout year. His power numbers have regressed as well: he has hit only five home runs this season compared to the 29 he smashed in 2024.
With the All-Star break approaching, the Padres sit at 49-43, just one game out of a wild-card spot. For San Diego to maintain its postseason push, a big rebound in the second half from Merrill will be essential.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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