Jackson Merrill
San Diego Padres
Shortstop
Born: (2003-04-19) April 19, 2003
Baltimore, Maryland
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Jackson Peter Merrill (born April 19, 2003) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the San Diego Padres organization. He was selected in the first round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the Padres.

Early life and amateur career

Merrill grew up in Severna Park, Maryland and attended Severna Park High School.[1] He initially committed to play college baseball for the Army Black Knights during his junior year. Merrill's junior season was canceled due to COVID-19, after which he focused on physical training and gained over 30 pounds of muscle. He later changed his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats in the fall of his senior year.[2] As a high school senior, he batted .500 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs and was named the Maryland Player of the Year by the Capital Gazette.[3]

Professional career

Merrill was selected 27th overall in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres.[4] He signed with San Diego for a $1.8 million signing bonus.[5][6]

Merrill was assigned to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Padres to start his professional career.[7] Over 31 games and 107 at-bats, Merrill slashed .280/.339/.383 with seven doubles, two triples, ten RBIs, ten walks, and 27 strikeouts.[8] He opened the 2022 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Single-A California League.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Peters, James (July 10, 2021). "Severna Park standout Jackson Merrill earns Capital Gazette baseball Player of Year nod". Capital Gazette. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (July 11, 2021). "Padres' focus remains on preps as team lands shortstop with 27th overall pick". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  3. ↑ Cassavell, AJ (July 12, 2021). "Never too many: Padres draft shortstop". MLB.com. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Padres' Jackson Merrill: Lands with Friars". CBSSports.com. July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  5. ↑ Wagner, Bill. "Former Severna Park shortstop Jackson Merrill signs with San Diego Padres for $1.8 million after being taken with No. 27 pick in MLB draft". capitalgazette.com. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  6. ↑ Cassevell, AJ (July 19, 2021). "Padres agree with top pick Merrill". MLB.com. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  7. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (July 27, 2021). "Minors: Gore tumbles in Baseball America top-100; Merrill makes pro debut". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Answers to your Orioles questions, Part 2". 8 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "James Wood, Jackson Merrill Star in California League Opener".
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