San Diego Padres rookie Jackson Merrill has quietly made a name for himself this season, adjusting to a new position while delivering standout performances amid injuries to his teammates.
Jackson Merrill has enjoyed his anonymity in San Diego for most of the season. As a rookie, he is finding his footing in a lineup full of stars, but is playing a new position. Normally that comes with an adjustment period.
As injuries to Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. have depleted the Padres' roster, however, Merrill has risen to the occasion with seven homers and a .329/.364/.685 batting line over his last 20 games. During this stretch, he has cemented himself into National League Rookie of the Year talks.
The rookie acknowledged the fan with a wave and continued on his walk. He doesn't care about the personal accolades.San Diego has only had one lone Rookie of the Year in its history: Benito Santiago in 1987. Merrill has a few hurdles to clear before joining him. Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes, Chicago's Shota Imanaga, and Los Angeles' Gavin Stone and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are just a few of those hurdles.
Merrill's recent streak of seven home runs in 10 games could add more pressure to an inexperienced player's load, but he just lets it slide right off his back. He isn't putting any extra pressure on himself.. “It’s baseball. It’s a game. You just play. You do your best, try to have as much fun as possible. Life will play itself out. I’m not going to try harder and stress myself out about it. I’m here to play a game and have fun and try to win.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Not Great News' For Injured Texas Rangers Rookie Outfielder Evan CarterTexas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said rookie outfielder Evan Carter will likely be out another month with a stress reaction in his back.
Read more »
Legendary Manager Saw Giants Rookie Outfielder’s Tools In MinorsBruce Bochy got to see a lot of Heloit Ramos after he left the San Francisco Giants’ dugout after the 2019 season.
Read more »
Former Padres Outfielder Was 'Super Happy' to Be TradedA former Padres outfielder was super happy to be traded out of San Diego, and play 'somewhere where it matters'
Read more »
Former Padres Outfielder Suffers One of the Unluckiest Injuries You'll Ever SeeA former San Diego Padres outfielder fouled two balls off his foot and was placed on the injured list with what was thought to be a fracture until the Kansas City Royals announced the injury was not that severe.
Read more »
Washington Nationals Outfielder Jesse Winker Gets Into it With San Diego Padres FanAfter the San Diego Padres staged a crazy comeback in extra innings to defeat the Washington Nationals, outfielder Jesse Winker went into the stands to have it out with an opposing fan.
Read more »
Watch: Nationals Outfielder Threatens to Beat Up Padres Fan Twice His AgeAn altercation between a 66-year-old fan in the stands at Petco Park and a Washington Nationals outfielder got heated in the aftermath of the Padres' walk-off victory Monday night.
Read more »