First, Jackson Merrill was a shortstop deep in the shadow of a generational talent. He was blocked at every position on the infield. As he made his way to big-league camp in February, he did so with fewer than 50 games above A-ball. Merrill never dwelled on any of this on his way to this week becoming just the third center fielder since 1965 to start on opening day before his 21st birthday. The Padres certainly did not dwell on an unconventional path up the system, either.
“We can evaluate over time whether that's good or not as good,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt, whose background is steeped in player development. “But it is, again, normalized throughout the industry. Everybody's got their own philosophy individually, organizationally, how they do that, but the process of accelerating players to get to the big-league level is greater than it's been in the history of the game.
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Padres believe Jackson Merrill has the talent, mind, heart to make jump to the big leaguesPadres' 20-year-old prospect has demonstrated this spring that he is up to handling the pressure and inevitable struggles that come with playing in the major leagues
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Spring training update: Jackson Merrill, José Azócar homer; Yu Darvish finishes strong; Padres rout MarinersMerrill continues to roll through spring; Azócar keeps pushing for outfield spot; Padres score spring-high 13 runs
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Padres 1, Team Korea 0: Jackson Merrill has 2 hits, 8 pitchers combine on shutoutPadres turn in paltry offensive showing in second-to-last exhibition game; Jhony Brito strong at start
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Jackson Merrill, Graham Pauley, Jeremiah Estrada, Stephen Kolek make Padres' roster in SeoulRookie position players seemed destined to make team for a while; relievers earned way on team after being acquired off waivers and Rule 5 draft
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Padres pregame: Jackson Merrill set to join elite opening day clubPadres rookie Jackson Merrill joins Ken Griffey Jr., Andruw Jones as the only center fielders to start on opening day before 21st birthday in last 59 years
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20-year-old outfielder Jackson Merrill makes debut for Padres in opener vs. DodgersJackson Merrill, a 20-year-old center fielder who had never played above Double-A, made his major league debut for San Diego in Wednesday’s opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers after the Padres selected his contract from San Antonio. Merrill hit .351 with three doubles, two homers, six RBIs and two stolen bases in 13 spring training games.
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