Mike Shildt Very Fond of Padres' Top Prospect

Jackson Merrill continues to turn heads as the San Diego Padres' spring training camp continues. The 20-year-old former first-round pick already looks like he will be a part of the roster during the regular season, despite only reaching double midway through the 2023 season.

Merrill has already emerged as a major league prospect, impressing Padres manager Mike Shildt along the way.

“The eye test says it looks pretty darn good. He’s an athlete, he’s a baseball player, he’s a get-it-done guy. … He’s embracing the fact that, ‘I’m a baseball player, I want to get on the field and just go ball out.’ That’s the starting point. After that, it’s the baseball IQ.”

— Mike Shildt, via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com

As he makes the transition from shortstop to center field, Merrill isn't merely showcasing his readiness for major league pitching, but filling a need for a Padres outfield that lacks depth. 

Merrill is not just making the shift, but is doing so under the guidance of Fernando Tatis Jr., who made a similar transition last year. He is already feeling confident about the adjustment. His outfield assist from center field to home plate was among the more impressive plays of spring training. 

The Padres are giving Merrill a long look at the plate, too. He's played in ten games and taken 28 at-bats, which is tied for the team lead. Merrill has a .286 batting average .355 on-base percentage, three runs and two runs. 

With all that he's brought to the table already, it's no surprise Merrill has made a strong impression on Shildt and his teammates.