"20 games in a row is tough" - Jackson Merrill, Will Smith, Logan Webb, James McCann reveal what they'd do differently as MLB commissioner
Jackson Merrill and plenty of other players were asked throughout this season what they would do if they were commissioner for one day. They all had interesting answers to how they'd try and shape the sport with that kind of power.
Logan Webb revealed that he would extend the pitch clock. He didn't say he would remove it, but the San Francisco Giants pitcher would like to see a little more time in between pitches. On the other hand, Kansas City Royals pitcher Will Smith would remove it entirely.
San Diego Padres rookie Merrill said:
"A little more off days, dude, cause you get those stretches where it's like 20 games in a row is tough."
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm said he'd change the ghost runner rule in extra innings. He said he understands why it's there, but he'd get rid of it and make it all like the postseason.
Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka said he'd make sure baseball couldn't change anything else for at least a year. The sport has undergone a lot of changes over the last few seasons, and Higashioka would pause that.
James McCann echoed the current sentiment of the MLB Commissioner's office by saying he would like to implement some rule to make sure starting pitchers actually pitch "like starting pitchers should" instead of openers and bullpen days.
Padres infielder Tyler Wade said he would end 11 a.m. games on the West Coast. Some East Coast matinees are very early for Pacific Time players, and he'd stop that.
Padres have already talked about extending Jackson Merrill
Increasingly, MLB teams are trying to lock up young stars for the foreseeable future. They're doing it much earlier than ever before, with some teams extending prospects before they make it to the MLB.
Jackson Merrill made it to the MLB and is the NL Rookie of the Year favorite. As a result, the Padres have reportedly already talked to Merrill about an extension, per Sports Illustrated.
Merrill had a historic rookie season and he's primed to be the Padres' center fielder for a very long time, and they may want to get ahead of free agency and a rising price tag sooner rather than later.