The San Diego Padres have secured the services of one of their brightest young stars for the long term.
San Diego has agreed to a nine-year extension with center fielder Jackson Merrill, tying him to the team through 2034 with a club option for 2035.
The extension, which will start from next season, will reportedly guarantee Merrill $135 million after a stellar first season in the majors.
Merrill, the Padres’ first-round draft pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, was promoted from the minor leagues in 2024 and immediately made a huge impact.
San Diego has been struck by Merrill Madness.
We have signed center fielder Jackson Merrill to a nine-year contract through the 2034 season with a club option for 2035. pic.twitter.com/FDw3D0aIcQ
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 2, 2025
He was named to the All-Star game, becoming the first rookie in Padres history to be selected for the Midsummer Classic.
Merrill finished his maiden MLB season with 24 home runs and 90 RBI. He was fifth in the National League with a batting average of .292 and tied sixth with a slugging percentage of .500.
In six games this season, Merrill has six RBI and one home run with a batting average of .400 and a slugging percentage .600.
The Padres have made a 6-0 start to the new season having suffered a 3-2 series defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS last season.
