Star outfielder Jackson Merrill has signed a nine-year contract extension with San Diego Padres that runs through 2034.
The extension will guarantee Merrill a total of $135 million beginning next season, while he will have a club option for 2035, MLB.com reported.
During the 2021 MLB Draft, Merrill remained the No. 27 overall pick for the squad and went on to make his debut last season.
Finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, Merrill hit .292 with 24 home runs as well as 90 RBIs and 16 stolen bases, according to United Press International.
In the ongoing season, Merrill went 8 for 20 (.400) in his six appearances so far, recording six RBIs over his first 23 plate appearances.
At 6-0, San Diego has witnessed its best start in the franchise and is all set to host Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Merrill has roughly $30 million in plate appearance escalators, which can further take his salary earnings to $165 million.
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Merrill has remained in the spotlight since his minors days that saw him being among the top prospects in baseball. He has played a total of 200 minor league games. However, none of them were among the Triple-A level, while only 46 remained at Double-A.
This means that Merrill will be paid $1 million in the 2026 season, $6 million in 2027, $8 million in 2028 and $10 million a year after that.
Post this, he will be getting $20 million on an annual basis from 2030 until 2034, which will be the last year of his contract.
In addition to this, whenever he will be having 500 or more plate appearances, Merrill will be given an extra $1 million for all remaining years.
He is also given the luxury of a hotel suite during the road trips.
Making his major league debut last season, Merrill has already become an All-Star. He was only behind Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
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FAQs
1. When is San Diego Padres' next match?
The club next will play against the Cleveland Guardians at 4:10 PM on Wednesday at the Petco Park.
2. What's the age of Jackson Merrill?
He will turn 22 on April 19.
The extension will guarantee Merrill a total of $135 million beginning next season, while he will have a club option for 2035, MLB.com reported.
What to know?
The 21-year-old player is taking part in the current season on a $740,000 salary and remained eligible for arbitration in 2027.During the 2021 MLB Draft, Merrill remained the No. 27 overall pick for the squad and went on to make his debut last season.
Finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, Merrill hit .292 with 24 home runs as well as 90 RBIs and 16 stolen bases, according to United Press International.
In the ongoing season, Merrill went 8 for 20 (.400) in his six appearances so far, recording six RBIs over his first 23 plate appearances.
At 6-0, San Diego has witnessed its best start in the franchise and is all set to host Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Merrill has roughly $30 million in plate appearance escalators, which can further take his salary earnings to $165 million.
Also Read : 18-year-old entrepreneur, running $30M startup, says he was rejected by Ivy League universities including Harvard, Yale; sparks debate
Why does it matter?
Prior to the deal, Merrill was slated to reach free agency after the 2029 season. This extension further takes the club's control window over the player to at least five years beyond 2029.Merrill has remained in the spotlight since his minors days that saw him being among the top prospects in baseball. He has played a total of 200 minor league games. However, none of them were among the Triple-A level, while only 46 remained at Double-A.
New Deal
Merrill, who will turn 22 on April 19, will be receiving a signing bonus of $10 million. Out of this, $1 million has to be paid within a month of the contract's approval by Major League Baseball, followed by $3 million on January 15 in each of the next three years, The Associated Press reported.This means that Merrill will be paid $1 million in the 2026 season, $6 million in 2027, $8 million in 2028 and $10 million a year after that.
Post this, he will be getting $20 million on an annual basis from 2030 until 2034, which will be the last year of his contract.
In addition to this, whenever he will be having 500 or more plate appearances, Merrill will be given an extra $1 million for all remaining years.
He is also given the luxury of a hotel suite during the road trips.
Making his major league debut last season, Merrill has already become an All-Star. He was only behind Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Also Read : Trump Media stock drops amid concerns over insider sales and market volatility
FAQs
1. When is San Diego Padres' next match?
The club next will play against the Cleveland Guardians at 4:10 PM on Wednesday at the Petco Park.
2. What's the age of Jackson Merrill?
He will turn 22 on April 19.
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