San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill had an outstanding 2024 season and is one of the top contenders for the National League Rookie of the Year award. His contributions were so pivotal that, without him, the Padres likely wouldn’t have reached the postseason this year.
But what if the Padres had included Merrill in the 2022 trade with the Washington Nationals to acquire Juan Soto?
When the Nationals traded Soto to the Padres at the 2022 trade deadline, their initial demand was for Merrill, but the Padres countered with James Wood, according to Tom Krasovic of the *San Diego Union-Tribune.*
“The Nationals actually asked for Merrill in the Soto trade discussions in 2023,” Krasovic wrote. “Recognizing Merrill’s value, Preller kept him out of the trade, offering James Wood instead—a power-hitting outfielder and Padres draftee whose skillset and physical profile drew comparisons to a young Aaron Judge and who entered this season with even higher media rankings than Merrill.”
While Wood has started well with the Nationals, posting a .264 average and nine home runs across 79 games after his mid-season call-up, Merrill is emerging as a potential superstar. The Padres’ decision to hold onto Merrill appears to have been the right one, and Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller deserves credit for protecting Merrill in the Soto trade negotiations, despite the Nationals’ strong bargaining position.
Jackson Merrill’s 2024 rookie season with the San Diego Padres
In his rookie season, Jackson Merrill posted an impressive .292/.326/.500 slash line, belting 24 home runs and driving in 90 runs. Transitioning from shortstop to center field for the first time, he played stellar defense, adding value to the Padres on both sides of the ball.
There were considerable doubts about the Padres’ prospects this season following their trade of Juan Soto to the Yankees. However, Merrill’s performance quickly put those concerns to rest, as he led the Padres to a 93-69 record, secured the first National League Wild Card spot, and helped them defeat the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card round. They ultimately fell in a close five-game NLDS battle with the pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.
At just 21, Merrill’s standout rookie campaign suggests he could be one of baseball’s elite players. With his talent at the plate and in the field, it’s well within reach for him to develop into a perennial MVP contender.
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