Club Option Included for 2035
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres have announced a nine-year contract extension with 21-year-old center fielder Jackson Merrill, keeping him under contract through the 2034 season. The agreement also includes a club option for the 2035 season, as confirmed by President of Baseball Operations & General Manager A.J. Preller.
“As an entire organization, we are thrilled to make this long-term commitment to Jackson,” Preller stated. “From the moment we signed him, Jackson has exemplified everything we look for in a cornerstone player—a dynamic two-way skillset, off-field excellence, and a winning mentality that inspires his teammates. With Jackson as a key part of our core for years to come, this is another significant step in our journey toward a World Series championship.”
Stellar 2024 Campaign
Merrill made an immediate impact in his debut MLB season, earning both National League All-Star and Silver Slugger honors in 2024. He appeared in 156 games for the Padres, posting an impressive .292 batting average (162-for-554) with 31 doubles, six triples, 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, and 77 runs scored.
He led all MLB rookies in several key categories, including games played, hits, batting average, home runs, RBIs, extra-base hits (61), slugging percentage (.500), and OPS (.826). Merrill also finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting, behind Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes.
A clutch performer, Merrill hit six game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later during the 2024 season. This feat tied him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (1956) for the most such homers in a single season by a player aged 21 or younger since 1900. Merrill’s accolades included two NL Rookie of the Month Awards (June and August) and selection to the All-MLB Second Team. Additionally, he was honored with the Padres’ 2024 MLB Heart and Hustle Award, recognizing his passion for the game and embodiment of its values, spirit, and traditions.
Historic Postseason Performance
Merrill played a pivotal role in the Padres’ 2024 postseason, starting all seven playoff games. He became the youngest player in franchise history to hit a home run in the playoffs with his two-run shot during Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. At 21 years old, Merrill joined an elite group as the fourth-youngest center fielder in MLB history to hit a postseason home run, following Bryce Harper (2012), Andruw Jones (1998), and Mickey Mantle (1952).
Rising Star
The Padres selected Merrill in the first round (27th overall) of the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Severna Park High School in Maryland. Entering the 2024 season, Merrill was ranked as the Padres’ No. 2 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. Skipping the Triple-A level entirely, Merrill impressed in the minors, compiling a .295 batting average (236-for-800) with 45 doubles, 10 triples, 21 home runs, 114 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, and 133 runs scored across 200 games.
The Padres are confident that Merrill’s talent, work ethic, and leadership qualities will be instrumental in the team’s pursuit of its first World Series title. This long-term extension underscores the club’s commitment to retaining its young talent and building a championship-caliber roster.
