Jackson Merrill

Jackson Peter Merrill (born April 19, 2003) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Padres and made his MLB debut in 2024. He was selected for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

Early life and amateur career
Merrill grew up in Severna Park, Maryland and attended Severna Park High School. Growing up, Merrill was a fan of the Boston Red Sox. 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. 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.

Professional career
The San Diego Padres selected Merrill in the first round, with the 27th overall pick, in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.

He signed with San Diego for a $1.8 million signing bonus.

Merrill was assigned to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Padres to start his professional career. Over 31 games and 107 at-bats, Merrill slashed .280/.339/.383 with seven doubles, two triples, ten RBIs, ten walks, and 27 strikeouts.

Merrill opened the 2022 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Single-A California League. In 45 games, he hit .325/.387/.482 with five home runs, 34 RBI, and 8 stolen bases.

Merrill split the 2023 season between the High–A Fort Wayne TinCaps and Double–A San Antonio Missions, playing in 114 total games and batting .277/.326/.444 with 15 home runs, 64 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.

On March 19, 2024, the Padres selected Merrill's contract and added him to their Opening Day roster. Merrill made his major league debut the following day against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Seoul Series. On July 7, 2024, he was named as a reserve player in the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.