The Padres locked up their center field of the present — and future — on April 2, as the team confirmed a nine-year extension for Jackson Merrill. It’s a deal that’s reportedly worth $135MM and falls somewhat in line with deals given out to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Julio Rodriguez over the years. And while it’s a lengthy one, the contract does cut out some risk.
A Look at Merrill
There have been 32 players in MLB history to have 20+ home runs and 15+ stolen bases during an age 19-22 season. Jackson Merrill did that in 2024, joining the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Mike Trout, and Ken Griffey Jr., among others.
Merrill made his MLB debut during the Seoul Series last March and was a hitting machine for the Padres, as he finished second on the team in total hits (162), home runs (24), and third in OPS (.826).
It was an incredible season for Merrill, a Maryland prep product who showcased premium athleticism and hitting ability in the Minors. After spending his time in the Minors as a primary shortstop, Merrill quickly adjusted to center field and became an impact fielder (+11 Outs Above Average).
Over his first six games in 2025, Merrill continued to torch opposing pitchers. The 21-year-old hit .400/.435/.600 (1.035 OPS) with a home run and six RBI. He was tied with Manny Machado for the second-most hits (8) on the team at the time.
Per the team’s official announcement, Jackson Merrill got a nine-year extension with a club option for the 2035 season. It’ll take effect in 2026, his final pre-arbitration season. If the club option is executed, Merrill will be kept in San Diego through his age-32 season.
Had Merrill not signed a contract extension, he would have been eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season, since he had a full season of service time under his belt from 2024. He would have become a free agent after the 2029 season.
Analysis
Before anything, let’s take a look at notable pre-arbitration outfielder extensions between 2019-25:
| Name | Rookie OPS+ | Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Acuna Jr. (2019) | 143 | 8-year, $100MM |
| Michael Harris II (2022) | 133 | 8-year, $72MM |
| Julio Rodriguez (2022) | 147 | 12-year, $209.3MM |
| Jackson Merrill (2025) | 128 | 9-year, $135MM |
Those are the comparables for Merrill, who would have joined the trio as Rookie of the Year winners had Paul Skenes not done what he did in 2024. Merrill’s excellence both with his bat, glove, and legs quickly catapulted him into stardom and a hefty payday.
The deals for Luis Robert Jr. and Jackson Chourio are not listed, as those were given before the two made their MLB debuts. Both Chourio (eight-year, $82MM) and Robert Jr. (six-year, $50MM) got less in terms of total value and AAV. But, the two signed their deals before making their MLB debuts.
Waiting to get an extension comes with its costs.
Now, the deal continues what’s become the new normal across Major League Baseball. Rather than risking a player like Merrill walk after his age-26 season, it allows the Padres to keep him in tow — and at a decent price, as well.
After all, teams are paying attention to what players like Juan Soto — and likely, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — are getting when heading to free agency at such a young age. At $15MM AAV, Merrill has the potential to exceed that value.
Lastly, it’s wise to go over this chart, down below:
Yes, there are outliers on this graph. For example, the aforementioned Soto is the only player on this list who qualified among age-19 players. However, the stats don’t lie. Players generally have their peak years from 25-30, then most slowly taper off.
While it is a hefty commitment by the Padres, San Diego has not committed more beyond his age-31 season.
Check out more of our MLB coverage, including our look at the Garrett Crochet extension.