Jackson Merrill’s star rises as Mike Trout’s absence stings

Southern California baseball has witnessed a changing of the guard. With one superstar sidelined , a new one is stepping up.

At 21-years-old, Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill is not just filling the void left by Angels injured star Mike Trout — he’s making a name for himself in a way that recalls the early days of Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.

Griffey Jr. averaged a 6.2 bWAR, while Mantle tallied a 6.1 and Mays a 2.6 during their age-20 through 21 seasons. By that age, all three were already legends in the making.

Merrill, who debuted in March at 20 years and 336 days old, is following a similar trajectory. As of Monday, he’s posted a 3.0 bWAR with 17 homers and a .806 OPS, showing that he’s more than ready for the big stage.

Merrill has been on fire lately. With the Padres surging to a 66-53 record, Merrill’s been a key factor.

In the last seven days , he’s racked up a 1.506 OPS and 1.042 SLG, hitting four homers and delivering clutch performances that are already making history.

According to OptaSTATS , he’s the first player in MLB history to hit four game-tying home runs in the eighth inning or later in a span of 50 days or less in the regular season.

MLB.com's Sarah Langs notes that Merrill’s five game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later this season tie him with Mel Ott for the second-most by a player aged 21 or younger since 1900 — only Frank Robinson had more in 1956.

Merrill’s big-moment heroics have earned him praise from his manager.

“Gosh, it is hard to expect that, but what a stud,’’ Padres manager Mike Shildt said, per MLB.com's George Richards . “He is a guy who loves the big moments. Another big swing in another big situation. He did a lot of things to win the ballgame, and that gave (us) a great chance to be able to do it. … He’s a winner.”

But how does Merrill compare to Mike Trout, the player he’s effectively replacing in Southern California’s spotlight?

Trout’s age-20 season was historic, with a 10.5 bWAR — arguably the greatest in baseball history. His age-21 season wasn’t far behind, with an 8.9 bWAR. Trout finished as the MVP runner-up in both seasons and likely only missed out on the 2012 award because Miguel Cabrera captured the Triple Crown.

Unfortunately, Trout’s 2024 season ended abruptly due to surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee. Since winning his third MVP award in 2019, Trout has been plagued by injuries, averaging just 64 games per season, including the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Once seemingly indestructible, Trout’s career has been defined by dominance and, lately, by frustration.

It might be unfair to compare Merrill directly to Trout, just as it might be to compare him to Griffey Jr., Mantle or Mays. But Merrill is proving his worth in 2024, showing flashes of brilliance that hint at a very bright future. He’s currently second in odds for the NL Rookie of the Year race, according to DraftKings , but at this pace, he could catch up to Pirates wunderkind Paul Skenes.

Southern California has lost a superstar in Trout, but in Merrill, it has found a rising star.