Reports: Padres lock in all-star Jackson Merrill with nine-year extension

A star is staying in San Diego.

The Padres signed outfielder Jackson Merrill to a nine-year, $135 million contract extension, per multiple reports on Wednesday.

Merrill, 21, is fresh off a superlative 2024 rookie campaign in which he made the all-star team, won a silver slugger and placed ninth in MVP voting, yet still finished behind Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes as rookie of the year.

The centre fielder batted .292 in his rookie season, adding 24 homers and 90 RBIs while generating 4.4 WAR.

He is already off to a scorching start this season too, with a .400 batting average, one home run and six RBIs in just six games.

Merrill, of Baltimore, was selected 27th overall out of high school in the 2021 draft and quickly rose in MLB prospect rankings.

He was not slated to become a free agent until 2030 or even become eligible for arbitration until 2027.

He has an $809,500 salary while in the major leagues this year after earning the $740,000 minimum last year and gaining $1,191,534 from the pre-arbitration bonus pool.

Merrill’s new deal can max out at $204 million and includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season that can become a player option if he has a top-five finish in MVP voting at any point during the contract, reported Robert Murray of Fansided and The Associated Press.

–with files from The Associated Press

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