Jackson Merrill’s 2026 season wrapped up
AP Photo
Of course, the San Diego Padres’ 2026 season did not end how they wanted it to, after getting eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in four games in the National League Division Series. There is still so much reason for hope in 2027, with much of the core under contract through much of 2030 and beyond. Jackson Merrill gave San Diego a jolt down the stretch of the dog days of July, August, and September.
San Diego’s center fielder had a tale of two halves in 2026, a half where he struggled mightily, and one that was the hottest hitter in baseball.
On April 15th, came one of Merrill’s highlights of the season, where Merrill and the Padres put up five runs in the bottom of the ninth to come back and walk off the Seattle Mariners.
JACKSON MERRILL IS THE HERO AND THE PADRES WALK IT OFF! https://t.co/PV0n5hviYn
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 16, 2026
Aside from this walk-off a few weeks into the season, the first half was not nice to the 23-year-old. In 93 games before the All-Star Break, Merrill posted a slash line of .219/.278/.350, good for an OPS of just .628. It was safe to say this was not the same guy that the Padres inked to an extension worth $135 million a year prior. Along with Fernando Tatis Jr. and his early-season home run drought and Manny Machado taking a small step back offensively, Merrill’s struggles were not helping a team that finished the first half 48-48.
Jackson Merrill hit the ground running once the Padres resumed play after the All-Star Break. Merrill mashed seven home runs in each of July and August, and was getting hot and finding his stroke at the perfect time for a potential Postseason push and chance at a World Series title.
The Baltimorean was at his peak after the All-Star Break, putting up a slash line of .304/.339/.569, for an OPS of .908. This stretch was arguably the best version of Jackson Merrill that all of us have seen. A slight change in approach and stance during the first series after the break in Kansas City paid dividends for the remainder of the season.
Merrill put up another stellar season in center field with his glove. He’d rank in the 92nd percentile with 7 OAA, along with his 99th percentile arm value. The range and ability to scale the center field walls give Merrill all-year boosts to the club, even when his bat isn’t firing on all cylinders.
MERRILL MADNESS!
What a home run robbery from Jackson Merrill! https://t.co/eaTeiqGXZf
— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2026
Stolen bases were also a major part of Merrill’s game in 2026. From 16 swipes in his rookie year to just one in an injury-riddled 2025, Merrill stole 27 bases in 2026. That ranked second on the Padres behind Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 38. As a team, the Padres stole 164 bases, the third-most in MLB in 2026.
Merrill’s 2026 Postseason had both ups and downs. The third-year man went 4-for-7 with two crucial RBIs in San Diego’s two-game sweep over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series.
Jackson Merrill extends the Padres lead!
Fernando Tatis Jr. is LOVING it 🗣️ https://t.co/IB3QJ9952P
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2026
But against Milwaukee in the NLDS was a bit of a different story. Brewers pitchers held Merrill to a 3-17 performance at the plate and punched him out six times. All of Merrill’s seven hits in the Postseason came for singles.
In Jackson Merrill’s 158 games in 2026, he showed true flashes of the player that he could become during his tenure in San Diego. In his age 23 season, Merrill ended the season slashing .254/.303/.440, for an OPS of .743 and above league average OPS+ of 105. Taking all of his statistics into account, Merrill accumulated a bWAR of 3.4.
While Jackson Merrill’s 2026 season had really high highs and really low lows, his biggest contributions are still yet to come.
Angel grew up a San Diego sports fan, following the Padres, SDSU athletics, San Diego FC, as well as the Chargers. He is currently a student at San Diego State University, majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public relations.