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In fifth grade, Jackson Merrill was asked to write down what he wanted to be when he grew up.
What was Jackson’s dream? To play Major League baseball.
On July 11, 2021, that dream took one step closer to reality as Jackson was drafted with the 27th overall pick in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the San Diego Padres.
With that selection, the shortstop became the highest drafted player from Maryland since the Oakland Athletics took former Arundel High School and University of Maryland infielder John McCurdy 26th overall in 2002.
“When my name was said on the screen, my entire family was going crazy,” Jackson said about draft night. “I wasn’t shocked, but at the same time I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is a reality.’ So, I was just sitting on the couch, staring at the TV for like 10 minutes.”
The Severna Park Voice was able to talk to Jackson and his family earlier this season, and at that time, the focus was on his recent recommitment to the University of Kentucky to play baseball.
The spring sports calendar wasn’t even finalized by that point, but once it was, Jackson took full advantage, hitting .500 in his senior season with 12 home runs and 37 RBI as Severna Park reached the 4A title game.
He also participated in the Brooks Robinson All-Star Game held at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 27, homering and being named the South team’s Most Valuable Player.
Everything culminated that Sunday evening, and understandably, emotions were running high.
“I was extremely excited,” Jackson said. “I don’t really show a lot of emotion except when I’m on the field, so I didn’t say much, but I was excited, not only for me but for my family because of how much they’ve helped me get here.”
Sitting next to Jackson during that watch party were his parents, Josh and Jennie. They’ve taken the journey with Jackson step-by-step, and while he isn’t one to show much emotion off the field, they took care of it, especially on draft night.
Nervous energy quickly turned into jubilation once the Merrills were no longer in suspense.
“It was a little bit tense at first, just waiting, anticipating,” Josh said. “I was just ready to exhale after all of this.”
In the winter and spring leading up to Jackson’s senior season, thoughts of getting drafted weren’t on anyone’s mind.
As soon as the high school season started, scouts made their way to Severna Park High School to watch Jackson play.
A few turned into a few dozen once postseason baseball came to SPHS, and it became more than apparent that getting drafted wasn’t just a possibility but a reality.
“Going into the season, we know he had Kentucky,” Jennie said. “We were like, ‘Alright, he’s going to play in the SEC,’ and then slowly as things began to build, we had, scouts and all sorts of people showing up at these games. The crowds were getting bigger and bigger, and in his entire career at Severna Park, we had never seen that many people at a playoff game.”
When pre-draft workouts began, new doors literally opened as teams started showing more interest in him.
His parents saw that amongst the players participating in these workouts, Jackson could compete with anyone. That was affirmed with the Padres’ selection in the first round, as Jackson watched the live feed from a house while surrounded by family and friends.
“We were full of excitement and adulation,” Josh said. “Finally, I could exhale after that. I said, ‘This step is done and over with. He’s drafted.’ Now, we have a clear vision for what’s ahead of him.”
Since getting drafted, Jackson has made the rounds, interviewing and talking with just about every media outlet in the Maryland and San Diego areas.
It’s been a whirlwind, and to top it off, he and the Padres agreed to a $1.8 million signing bonus on July 23, now cementing him in one of the most exciting organizations in baseball.
“We feel he’s a shortstop,” said Padres scouting director Mark Conner. “If not, he has options to move to third base or second base in the future. He has a very good clock, very good hands. His footwork probably needs to improve a little bit to stay at the position, just reading the hops and getting in the proper spots.”
With stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Adam Frazier and more in the infield, Jackson knows the road ahead of him, but he’s ready to carve his own path.
“I’m extremely excited to get started,” Jackson said. “I want to get going as soon as possible. I know that there’s Tatis and Machado up there on the left side of the infield that are absolutely insane, but for me, it’s all about where can I help the team. It doesn’t matter to me where it is, I just want to help the team and get on that field.”
His parents are ready to make the journey with him, starting in Arizona and hopefully ending at Petco Park.
“They told us a long time ago, 2 percent of the people ever make it this far,” Jennie said. “Now, we’re here. He’s climbed to the top of the first mountain, but there are more mountains to climb.”
With the support of his family, friends and Severna Park behind him, Jackson is starting his ascent up the next mountain to make that fifth-grade dream a reality.
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