Rookie Merrill hits six home runs in eight games. San Diego’s best ‘work’ since Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. rose to prominence in 2017 in the Single-A Midwest League with an OPS of .910 with 22 home runs and 15 steals at the age of 18 after posting a mediocre performance in 2016, the year of his U.S. professional baseball debut.

He was then promoted to Double A in 2018, and played in 88 games in the Texas League, recording 16 home runs and 16 steals with an OPS of .862.

Then, Baseball America (BA) ranked Tatis Jr. second in the 2019 prospects list.

In response, the San Diego Padres did not send 20-year-old Tatis Jr. to Triple-A and included him on the opening day roster of the 2019 season.

San Diego’s “gambling” hit the bull’s eye. Tatis Jr. hit .317 with 22 home runs in 84 games in the 2019 season, and exploded 17 home runs in the ultra-mini 60 games in the 2020 season.

San Diego no longer doubted Tatis’ ability. He signed a mega 14-year, $340 million contract ahead of the 2021 season.

Tatis Jr. is still a key hitter on the team. 토토사이트 추천

Jackson Merrill, 190 cm tall, was drafted 27th overall in the first round in the 2021 MLB Rookie Draft, then appeared in 31 games for the rookie team ACL Padres, showing promise at .280 / .339 / .383.

In 2022, he was promoted to Low A after hitting .433 / .452/.700 in 10 games, and grew up with .325 / .387 / .482 5 home runs and 34 RBIs in 45 games.

Having started the 2023 season in high A, he was promoted to double A after hitting .280 / .318 / .444 10 home runs and 10 steals in 68 games. He also played .273 / .338 / .444 5 home runs and 5 steals in 46 games in double A.

San Diego, which confirmed Merrill’s potential, invited the 20-year-old to 2024 spring training.

At the exhibition game, he swung a hard hit as a center fielder. The San Diego Padres included him in the opening day roster without looking back. After Tatis Jr., he passed Triple-A and moved him directly to the Major League.

In the big leagues, Merrill is also performing without ups and downs.

At first, he played as the ninth hitter, but recently he went up to the sixth hitter.

As of the 21st (Korea time), Merrill is playing a central role in the team’s lower lineup with a batting average of 0.279 with nine homers and 31 RBIs.

In particular, he hit six home runs in the last eight games, adding to his power.

American media consider it the best work in San Diego since Tatis Jr.

If he continues to perform like this year in 2025, Merrill may sign a long-term contract comparable to Tatis Jr.