PHILADELPHIA — The catch was so good, third-base umpire Bill Miller had to ask Jackson Merrill for proof.
In the Padres’ series opener against the Phillies on Monday night, Merrill went airborne to rob Max Kepler of what looked like a certain three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. Merrill ranged toward the wall in straightaway center field at Citizens Bank Park, then leapt. After getting serious air and reaching well above the fence, Merrill came down with the baseball.
It’s an instant contender for Padres play of the season, and one of the best catches in the Majors this season.
And Merrill hardly reacted. His teammates around him erupted. But Merrill merely closed his glove and trotted into the visitors’ dugout. As he did, Miller asked to see the baseball, and Merrill duly obliged. With the out confirmed, the Padres remained within striking distance, trailing the Phillies, 1-0, after three innings.
Merrill has been in a bit of a funk at the plate. But his defense in center field has remained steady. So steady, in fact, that it’s easy to forget Merrill only learned the position about 16 months ago. A lifelong infielder, Merrill made the transition to center field during Spring Training in 2024. He’s been mostly excellent since — and he now has a signature home-run robbery to show for it.
