The San Diego Padres are heading into this upcoming season looking to improve on a disappointing 2023. The team in the last week traded for Dylan Cease to improve their rotation. The team kicks off the Season this week against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Seoul Korea 3/20/24. The Padres have announced that 20-year-old Jackson Merrill will be the starting Center Fielder. The top prospect beat out Jose Azocar for the job which pushes Azocar most likely to a reserve role. Very exciting for the six-foot-three 195-pound left-hand hitter. While Merrill was a Shortstop when drafted the team decided to move him to the outfield after the Log jam they have at the position. As it is Xander Bogaerts is starting at Second Base while Ha-Seong Kim will be starting at Shortstop this year.
Jackson Merrill
Merrill is the 12th-ranked prospect and the Padres second-ranked prospect by ITD. This spring has played in 13 games and he hit .351 with a .995 OPS; he had three doubles, two home runs, six RBI, eight runs scored, three walks, and two stolen bases. Last season at High-A and Double-A he played in 114 games and hit .277 with a .770 OPS; he had 25 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 76 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, and 35 walks.
Summary
The Padres are looking for Merrill’s bat to provide a spark to this team that will be trying to replace Juan Soto’s offensive production this season. The games vs the Dodgers were going to be exciting. Now they have a little more intrigue as the team has decided to let the kid play!!
