Jackson Merrill Bumped Up To Three-Spot
5 months agoSan Diego Padres rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill has been moved up to third in the batting order for the Fourth of July on Thursday against the hosting Texas Rangers and veteran right-hander Max Scherzer. Merrill is having a breakout campaign in his first year in the big leagues for the Friars in 2024 and has been one of the league's hottest hitters of late. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter is slashing an incredible .352/.380/.727 with nine home runs, 21 RBI and two stolen bases in his last 23 games to earn the bump up to the three-hole for the first time with the Padres. If the young outfielder continues to swing a hot bat, he could stay near the top of the order, which would be bad news for infielder Jake Cronenworth. Merrill has never faced Scherzer in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com