Poised to make an impact, Jackson Merrill could be Padres best player in 2025

When Jackson Merril learned he would be playing center field while at spring training last season, the then 20-year-old may have felt the news was a bit of a surprise. After all, Merrill had never played center, let alone the outfield, and was a natural shortstop by trade. Fast forward to the end of the season and Merrill had cemented himself as one of the top outfielders in the league, earning enough praise and recognition to barely lose out in the Rookie of the Year race to fan favorite Paul Skenes.

Now headed into his second year in the bigs, and with a year's worth of center field experience under his belt, Merrill has the chance, and the ability, to quickly become not just a face of the Padres but of the entire league. A recent MLB.com article has listed Merrill as one player to keep an eye on, looking to break out in 2025 off the back of an already stellar 2024.

New position, no problem for Merrill

A recent MLB list has ranked Merrill as the second best center fielder in the league, behind only Seattle's Julio Rodriguez. Unranked last year, Merrill had by far the largest leap to make it onto the list, a list that you could argue should feature his name at the top, not Rodriguez.

Padres fans, however, know the list is subjective, and they also know the quality of player they have in Merrill. Any attempts to discredit the young phenom due to an arbitrary list should be right away shot down; Jackson Merrill has proven he is worthy to be in the conversation of best players in the league. After making a name for himself with a .292 average, .826 OPS and 24 long balls, not to mention his clutch gene of six game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the 8th inning or later, Merrill has been, and should be, hyped as one of the most exciting young players in the league.

Part of a team that has made itself known for young exciting talent, Merrill has an opportunity to become a cornerstone of the franchise. After finishing ninth in MVP voting and winning the Silver Slugger, it is hard to ignore the future that Merrill possesses. Add the fact the Padres have a supporting cast of savvy veteran players on long term contracts, Merrill will be surrounded by baseball gurus to develop under for a long while.

With a team that has attention grabbing names like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill may be the next super star coming out of San Diego. For now, even just keeping pace with his fabulous rookie year would keep him in the spotlight, but Merrill wants more, and he is going to take it.