Jackson Merrill

In 2024, Jackson Merrill finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and led rookies in hits, batting average, and RBI. He also chipped in 16 stolen bases and won a Silver Slugger award. By the time 2025 rolled around, he was being drafted in the first three rounds, even though he was just 21 years old when the season started. But before the season even began, read more...

In 2024, Jackson Merrill finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and led rookies in hits, batting average, and RBI. He also chipped in 16 stolen bases and won a Silver Slugger award. By the time 2025 rolled around, he was being drafted in the first three rounds, even though he was just 21 years old when the season started. But before the season even began, Merrill began dealing with injuries. He missed 47 games in 2025 with hamstring, ankle, illness, and concussion problems. His batting average dropped from .292 to .264, his home runs fell from 24 to 16, and his steals plummeted to just one all season. Underneath the hood, however, there were encouraging signs that point to a rebound in 2026. His hard-hit was largely unchanged last season, and his barrel rate actually improved. Merrill's walk rate improved, and he showed more plate discipline despite the injuries. Now coming with a discount in drafts (ADP of 68 on NFBC), Merrill is a bargain who has age, upside, skills, and lineup protection all on his side that could foreshadow a big year in 2026.less...