Jackson Merrill, the San Diego Padres' young outfielder, is proving to be a star in the making. Selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, this 22-year-old had an impressive debut season, featuring in 156 games with a 126 OPS+ and 90 RBIs. He was recognized as the runner-up in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and also secured a Silver Slugger award along with an All-Star appearance.

Entering his second MLB season, Merrill has further improved, sporting an .822 OPS and a .304 batting average, signaling his continued development. However, during a game against Arizona, he suffered a hit to the head while attempting a steal and was replaced after reporting feeling 'woozy.' The Padres are closely monitoring his condition, as his performance is crucial for their season, currently at 38-31, sitting third in the NL West.