Jackson Merrill is considered by many to be one of the best prospects in the High-A Midwest League. He is also our top Padres prospect and will be a participant at this year’s Futures Game on Saturday, July 8. Drafted with the 27th overall pick in 2021 in what was considered one of the best prep shortstop drafts in recent memory (Jordan Lawlar, Marcelo Mayer, Brady House, Khalil Watson, Colson Montgomery, Max Muncy, Carson Williams) Merrill has emerged as one of the most talented from the group with only Mayer and Lawlar ranking ahead of him on most top 100 prospect rankings.
What makes Merrill such an exciting prospect isn’t just one tool — it’s his all-around game that excites scouts, coaches, and front office personnel, as well as fans. The left-handed hitter does an excellent job of making adjustments to his offensive game. For instance, in his first month in the Midwest League he hit just .177 in April (April in the Midwest League can be tough due to playing in cold, rainy 40 degree weather as well as facing more advanced pitchers), but he quickly turned it around in May where he hit .329. He hit just 4 home runs between both April and May, but once again quickly made adjustments and started to show an ability to hit for power as he went on to hit more home runs in one month when he hit five in June.
Jackson Merrill is more than just a hitter, he’s also a solid defender at shortstop with the arm strength to make plays up the middle or in the hole to go along with above-average to plus speed when he gets underway. He also has excellent makeup to go along with a strong work ethic, and passion for the game all of which should allow him to develop into a future star with a chance for 20 HR/20 SB upside.
One thing that I would like to see him improve on is his ability to make more contact while showing the ability to draw walks consistently. He’s currently more of an aggressive hitter that looks to do damage early in the count, with an all fields approach. He plays the game the right way with passion and looks like he has all the skills to play up the middle while being an above average starter on offense and defense.
I recently had a chance to catch up to him on the field.
Baseball Q & A
James Weisser: What’s your favorite thing about the game of baseball?
Jackson Merrill: Playing with my teammates for sure. Playing with my teammates especially because everybody loves coming to the yard, nobody gets here and is like ‘Oh damn, we have another game.’ When we get here they want to work, they love hitting. I like that my teammates are like family, that’s probably my favorite part.
JW: What first got you interested in the game of baseball, how young were you when you first started playing?
JM: I started playing when I was really young, I pretty much just picked up a wiffle ball bat and started playing when I was 3 and that’s what got me into it.
JW: Did you have a favorite team or favorite player growing up?
JM: I liked to watch the Boston Red Sox when I was growing up, Dustin Pedroia was my favorite player. He was a high-adrenaline guy, he was always fired up and ready to go, it helped inspire me to kinda be that type of guy.
JW: When you were in the Arizona Fall League last year you had a ton of success, what do you attribute your success to?
JM: I attribute it to getting back to playing consistently. I mean when I got hurt I was out for a while but when I came back I just got back to playing every day which was good for me, it’s what I needed, just to be able to play as much as I can. I want to just play as much as possible. I never ask for an off day or really ever wanted an off day because being out there is good for me, it helps me to get stronger so my legs aren’t as tired the longer the season goes on and it helps me to be better prepared for each season. I also think the focus is huge, especially against higher-level competition.
JW: What’s one of the goals you have?
JM: My goal is to win as much as possible, it’s all I really care about, doing my best to help my team win.
Off the Field Interests
JW: What do you like to do off the field?
JM: It’s tough during the season because normally I just want to rest on the off days since we get just one day a week, but I like riding around with my teammates, playing basketball every now and then. I also enjoy seeing people I know but it’s tough even during the off-season, so I really enjoy spending time with family.
JW: What’s your favorite type of food?
JM: I really like Hibachi, I enjoy watching them make it in front of you.
JW: What’s your favorite type of music?
JM: I listen to pretty much everything but I like rap, Lil Baby. I also like country too, Morgan Wallen, but I don’t really get too deep into country but if it’s on I’ll listen to it.