Leadoff Hitter

Padres' Merrill Making Waves as Leadoff Phenom

In the world of professional baseball, few rookies have burst onto the scene with as much fanfare and immediate impact as Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres. The 20-year-old outfielder, who skipped Triple-A and made the leap straight to the big leagues, has been nothing short of a revelation for the Padres, seamlessly transitioning to the leadoff spot in the batting order. Merrill’s move to the top of the lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday was merely the latest chapter in his meteoric rise.