WATCH: NL ROY hopeful Jackson Merrill shows off soccer dribbling skills with a baseball ahead of Padres game
The San Diego Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill showed off his soccer skills right before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where the Padres delivered a shutout victory with a 5-0 score. Merrill seems to be leading the National League for this year's NL Rookie of the Year award.
Jackson Merrill had never played the centerfield position before joining the Padres. However, he has proven his vast range, but his extraordinary clutches that took his team from a losing position to a winning one many times.
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On the field, Merrill also gave a glimpse of his broad range as he showed off some dribbling skills with a baseball. When the baseball was rolled down to Merrill's foot, so instead of using his hands, Merrill tossed it to and fro with his feet before catching it while it was in the air.
He has proven himself in baseball, but he has shown his worth as an athlete as well. Merrill has been the best in breaking the ties and trails for the Padres. As per MLB.com, in 14 plate appearances during such situations, je has been slashing .583 with a walk and five home runs.
Jackson Merrill predicted outcome of pitching break
The San Diego Padres made history when they became the first team to secure their position in the postseason on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That happened because of the game-ending triple-play in the ninth inning.
However, the star rookie Jackson Merrill had predicted the outcome during the pitching break.
"I told Tatis during the pitching break, ‘Hey, triple play right here,'" Merrill said late Tuesday night. "I was just throwing it out there, freeballing it, but (expletive) that’s what happened."
Fernando Tatis Jr. confirmed the claim postgame during the celebration that Merrill had predicted the play.
"He did; he did call it. It was crazy. I just laughed because I know how crazy this game is. It was amazing," Tatis said.
With all three bases loaded and Shohei Ohtani on the deck, Miguel Rojas was ready to bunt the next pitch and score a run. But the Padres knew their situation as well and were ready with their bunt defense.
So, when Rojas hit a grounder at the third base, his opponents were committed to a triple-play move.