Jackson Merrill’s dramatic turnaround changes everything for the Padres’ playoff chase

It’s probably safe to say that Jackson Merrill is back. We can quit wondering when the Padres’ young star would rediscover himself because the answer appears to be right now, with the Friars fighting for their postseason life and Merrill looking like the player capable of helping carry the offense across the finish line.

The numbers capture an absurd transformation. Merrill hit .213 with eight home runs through his first 81 games this season. Over his last 20, he’s batting .372 with seven homers, 11 extra-base hits and 16 runs scored. It’s a full-blown eruption from a guy who spent the first three months stumbling with occasional flashes while the Padres waited for something resembling consistency.

Jackson Merrill’s 20-game heater has helped transform the Padres’ offense

Merrill supplied the difference in their 3-2 victory on Aug. 8 over the Astros. He brought home their first run on a fielder’s choice, stole second and then broke a 1-1 tie with his 17th homer of the season. Michael King handled the rest, allowing one run across six innings before handing the ball off to the bullpen to close the door.

It’s probably the kind of baseball we’ll continue to see down the stretch. The offense is unlikely to bludgeon opponents every night. The rotation remains a work in progress, even after A.J. Preller acquired Robbie Ray and Casey Mize at the trade deadline. The Padres will need its best players to make an impact in close games. Merrill led the charge on Saturday. 

His resurgence changes the tone of this lineup. He gives the team another hitter who can create  instant impact. Batting fifth also suits him. He’s protected a little more, and can attack pitchers after they navigate the top of the order. Craig Stammen doesn’t have to force him into a position where he needs to be something that he isn’t.

That tendency to force the issue contributed to his burial earlier this season. Merrill admitted as much after Saturday’s win. His current approach is pretty simple. He wants to get on time, stay aggressive and hunt a pitch he can drive. The ball is flying off his bat because he has stopped trying to be the hero.

The power is only one part of it. Merrill is one of five major leaguers with more than 15 homers and 20 stolen bases this season. He showed some hustle by running out a potential double play late Saturday and extending an inning through pure effort. 

The Padres gained ground in the Wild Card after that win too. They still have plenty of work ahead, and we all know there’s a lot of baseball left. The Padres need to continue stacking wins. But for much of the first half, Merrill was part of the problem. Now he looks like the player who can become the solution.

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