Merrill / Getty Images Korea
[마이데일리 = 김진성 기자] “I’m ready to strike.”
Jackson Merrill (23), the ‘top prospect’ that the San Diego Padres boast, is sure to make his big league debut in the Seoul Series. Merrill started as No. 9 center fielder in the 2024 Major League Baseball home exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks held at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona, USA on the 13th (Korea time), and recorded 1 hit (1 home run), 2 RBIs, and 1 run in 3 at-bats.
He hit his second home run in the exhibition game. In the bottom of the second inning, with the score tied at 0-0, with two outs and a runner on first, Arizona’s leadoff pitcher Jack Gallen hit two pitches with a 1-ball count and fired a two-run shot to left. . -center. The intermediate performance in the exhibition game was 12 hits in 35 at-bats in 12 games, a batting average of 0.343, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, 7 runs, and an OPS of 0.995.
Merrill is a good prospect who signed with the 27th overall pick in the first round of 2021. San Diego’s second overall prospect. He is a promising shortstop, but it is difficult for him to play as a shortstop after being pushed by Ha-seong Kim. From the beginning, it appeared that he would train more in Triple A, but in the end he skipped Triple A and immediately made his Major League debut in Double A.
San Diego’s outfield depth has been weakened somewhat by the transfers of Juan Soto and Trent Grisham (New York Yankees), and given Merrill’s talent and batting potential, he should get time in the major leagues. San Diego plans to use Merrill as the starting center fielder in the official home opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers to be held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 20th.
He makes his historic major league debut in none other than Gocheok Dome. Manager Mike Shildt told MLB.com that day, “Merrill is going to Korea.” MLB.com said, “Merrill going to Korea almost certainly means cementing a roster spot and a starting role. “Otherwise, I would have stayed in minor league camp.”
This means that when a top prospect like Merrill is promoted to the major leagues, he is not used as a backup. According to MLB.com, Merrill is likely to become the youngest center fielder in club history. “We prepared very well in the spring,” Merrill said. Much progress has been made over the past few years. “Everyone here is ready to compete throughout the year.”
Targeting Jack Gallon was also meaningful. “I’m not being egotistical, but this (major league baseball) is what I’m going to do,” Merrill said. “You have to have a good at-bat, be ready to swing, and be ready to hit.”
At the same time, Merrill said, “Gallen is a great pitcher. He challenged me with a fastball, and I was ready to swing. I will not say anything bad about his name. “But I was ready to have a shot.” Now Meryl is getting on a plane to Korea in a good mood.
Even if Kim Ha-seong does not return to the shortlist after two years this year, the outfield is the answer for Merrill to survive in the major leagues. The general opinion of the American media is that if Kim Ha-seong signs a big contract during or after this season and leaves for another team, there is a high possibility that Merrill will take over as the starting shortstop.
Merrill / Getty Images Korea
“Meryl had a great debut,” coach Mike Schilt said. He couldn’t be happier. I swung the bat well, played defense well, and ran the bases well. They have a strong heart, a lot of energy, and a lot of passion. He is a smart player. “Meryl has a lot of good points,” he said.
Correspondent Kim Jin-seong kkomag@mydaily.co.kr
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