Oct 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (3) reacts after game five against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
A dream rookie season for San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill ended in absolute heartbreak.
Merrill and the Padres went cold offensively in a 2-0 elimination loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of their NLDS at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.
Kiké Hernandez threw out Fernando Tatis Jr. with the bases empty in the top of the 9th inning to end the series. The celebrations commenced just a split-second later.
Amidst the Dodger jubilation, Merrill was seen standing alone in the Padres’ dugout. The 21-year-old looked on as his team’s division rivals celebrated their first NLCS berth in three years.
Merrill went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the Game 5 defeat.
Playoff exit aside, Merrill still had one of the most outstanding rookie seasons in 2024. Merrill would have likely been the clear favorite for NL Rookie of the Year had it not been for the historic rookie campaign from Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
The Baltimore Merrill native batted .292 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs across 156 games. He also made some incredible defensive plays in the outfield.
After getting dealt some postseason heartbreak, Merrill may be in for an even bigger year next season.
