San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill earned his first major accolade for an outstanding rookie season on Thursday.
Merrill transitioned from shortstop to center field during spring training, a significant position shift for the 21-year-old who had yet to make his Major League Baseball debut. Despite the challenge, he adapted quickly.. "There was some internal debate about it. There was some competition still to be had. But it was pretty clear that he was going to be our center fielder."
Merrill delivered the best rookie season in Padres history, leading all rookies in 2024 across multiple categories, including hits, RBIs, batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS. He also tied for the top spot with 24 home runs. He had a knack for clutch moments, hitting five game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the ninth inning or later, helping the Padres return to the playoffs after missing out in 2023.
Far exceeding his $740,000 salary, Merrill played a key role in keeping the Padres competitive with big-market rivals like the Dodgers and Mets, both of which had player payrolls nearly double that of San Diego.
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