Padres All-Star pumps the brakes on added responsibility for Jackson Merrill

The secret is out that the Padres have produced another up-and-coming star in Jackson Merrill. On Wednesday, Merrill inked a nine-year, $135 million contract extension with San Diego, which can reach $204 million establishing himself as the starting center fielder for years to come. After the ink was dry, it didn't take long for the media to attempt to place an amount of deeper responsibility on the young center fielder, to which unofficial team captain Manny Machado shut down immediately responding, "Let's slow down your roll a little bit there, alright? Let's keep him a young buck playing center field, worrying about being a gold-glover and bringing a championship to this city."

Manny Machado implores media to slow their roll on Jackson Merrill's potential new role

The immediate defense by the 14-year vet, who most fanbases illogically have a problem with in some capacity, was incredibly refreshing to hear and indignant of the close nature of this team. It's not the first time Machado has been the voice of reason this year in the San Diego clubhouse, either.

Oftentimes in sports, young stars can run into issues once they get recognized for their early success, and that is largely in part due to the pressure and/or scrutiny from outside noise. Who better to understand that more clearly than Machado, who was just 19 years old when he made his debut for the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He's been through the same situation himself, and after years of being in the big leagues, he has the wisdom to help frame Merrill's career narrative and allow him to continue playing the way that brought him to this point.

The continuity that exists on this team is evident in their franchise record 7-0 start

There is no denying the Padres have played tremendous baseball to start the year undefeated. However, when you peel back the layers as to how that came to be it is certainly not simply scoring more runs than the other team. It's the culture that's been built by manager Mike Shildt and clubhouse leaders like Manny Machado. For example, at Merrill's extension press conference there were a plethora of teammates and coaches in attendance to support him. Again, a minor detail but that doesn't happen on a team where the players don't genuinely appreciate one another. When everyone is on the same wavelength and rowing in the same direction so-to-speak, the results will follow.

The standard for how this team functions has been set and is centered around having the guy next to you's back. Machado stepping in to halt the media's angle on Jackson Merrill's identity within the clubhouse is a perfect example of such. With the Padres gelling at such an early stage in the season, the sky is the limit for how long this hot streak continues.