Merrill primarily played infield throughout his professional career but transitioned to the outfield to secure a spot on a Padres roster already featuring Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado on the left side of the infield.
He exceeded all expectations as a rookie, playing exceptional defense in center field while providing elite offensive production.
Merrill’s breakout year earned him an All-Star appearance, a Silver Slugger award and a second-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Over 156 games, he batted .292 with an .826 OPS and hit 24 home runs — prompting San Diego to lock him up long term with a nine-year, $135 million contract extension this past offseason.
In 2025, Merrill has experienced a slight drop-off in production, but he remains a key piece of San Diego’s future.
After originally placing Merrill in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against Washington, the team announced Merrill had been scratched due to illness.
Through 2025, Merrill is batting .259 with a .731 OPS and just seven home runs — a steep decline from his rookie numbers.
