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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

Jackson Merrill’s 2025 season was a classic "sophomore slump" narrative dictated by health rather than a loss of skill. After a sensational 2024 rookie year, Merrill spent 52 days on the injured list across three separate stints (strained hamstring, ankle sprain, and a concussion). These lower-body issues completely neutralized his speed; after stealing 16 bases as a rookie, he managed just one stolen base in 2025. Despite the injuries, he still flashed his elite bat-to-ball skills in 115 games, slashing .264/.317/.457 with 16 home runs and 67 RBI. He finished the season on a tear, hitting .295 with six homers in his final 15 games, reminding San Diego why they view him as a franchise pillar.

The 2026 season is the first year of Merrill’s massive 9-year, $135 million contract extension signed last April. To ensure he lives up to that investment, Merrill made the high-profile decision to skip the 2026 World Baseball Classic, stating his "priority is being here" in Peoria to lead the Padres. Under new manager Craig Stammen, Merrill has arrived at spring training having focused on "lower-half durability" rather than just adding bulk. He has been a fixture in the No. 2 spot in early Cactus League lineups, frequently hitting between Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. Early reports suggest his sprint speed has returned to his 2024 levels (90th percentile), a vital sign for his all-around production.

For fantasy managers, Merrill is the premier "post-hype" bounce-back candidate with an ADP around 69.