Jackson Merrill has become one of baseball’s most exciting young stars. The San Diego Padres center fielder made history when he signed a massive $135 million contract extension in April 2025. At just 22 years old, Merrill has already proven himself as an All-Star player and future superstar.
This article covers everything you need to know about his net worth, career earnings, personal life, and amazing journey to the big leagues. You’ll learn about his early career, professional achievements, relationship status, and detailed financial information.
Jackson Merrill’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jackson Peter Merrill |
| Date of Birth | April 19, 2003 |
| Age | 22 years old |
| Education | Severna Park High School, Maryland |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’3″ (195 cm) |
| Weight | 88 kg (195 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2021 |
| Net Worth | $1.8 million |
| Current Salary | $809,500 |
| Career Earnings | $4.5 million |
| Girlfriend | Sammie Quinn |
| Instagram Profile | |
| Twitter Profile |
Early Career
Jackson Merrill grew up in Severna Park, Maryland, where he first fell in love with baseball. His parents, Josh and Jennie Merrill, supported his baseball dreams from a young age. Growing up, Jackson was actually a Boston Red Sox fan before joining their division rival, the San Diego Padres.
His high school career at Severna Park High School was impressive, though it faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. His junior season got canceled due to the virus, but Jackson used this setback as motivation. He focused on physical training and gained over 30 pounds of muscle during this time. This dedication paid off when he returned for his senior season.
As a high school senior, Jackson put up incredible numbers. He batted .500 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs. His performance was so outstanding that the Capital Gazette named him Maryland Player of the Year. Jackson initially committed to play college baseball for the Army Black Knights during his junior year.
However, he later changed his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats in his senior year. These college plans would soon change when professional baseball came calling.
Professional Career
The San Diego Padres selected Jackson Merrill with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 MLB draft. He signed with the Padres for a $1.8 million signing bonus, officially beginning his professional career. Jackson started his journey in the Arizona Complex League, where he played 31 games and showed promising signs.
His minor league career progressed quickly through different levels. In 2022, he played for the Lake Elsinore Storm and hit .325 with five home runs in 45 games. The following year, he split time between the Fort Wayne TinCaps and San Antonio Missions, playing 114 total games. His performance continued to improve as he adapted to higher levels of competition.
The big moment came on March 19, 2024, when the Padres selected his contract and added him to their Opening Day roster. Jackson made his major league debut the next day against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Seoul Series.
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He became the first rookie in Padres history to make the All-Star Game when he was named as a reserve player in July 2024. His rookie season was spectacular, finishing with a .292 batting average, 24 home runs, and 90 RBIs. He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting to Paul Skenes.
Girlfriend
Jackson Merrill is currently dating Sammie Quinn, who has become a popular figure among Padres fans. Sammie is very supportive of Jackson’s career and frequently attends his games. She has built relationships with other wives and girlfriends of Padres players, creating a close-knit community within the team.
Sammie often shares moments from Jackson’s career on social media, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their relationship. She was particularly active during Jackson’s outstanding 2024 rookie season, documenting many special moments.
Her Instagram posts often receive support from other Padres family members, including wives and girlfriends of players like Michael King, Robert Suarez, Xander Bogaerts, and Jeremiah Estrada.
Jackson Merrill’s Net Worth Details
Jackson Merrill’s current net worth is estimated at $1.8 million as of 2025. This figure reflects his early career earnings and the significant signing bonus he received when drafted.
Contract
His contract situation changed dramatically in April 2025 when the Padres signed him to a nine-year, $135 million extension covering 2026-2034. The deal includes a $10 million signing bonus and guarantees $135 million. The contract also features a $21 million team option for 2035 that could convert to a player option if Jackson finishes among the top five in MVP voting during any season of the extension. With performance incentives and escalators, the total value could reach $205 million.
Salary
Jackson’s current salary for 2025 is $809,500. This represents his pre-arbitration salary before the new extension kicks in. For 2024, he earned $740,000 minimum salary plus $1,191,534 from the pre-arbitration bonus pool. His salary will jump significantly starting in 2026 when the extension begins, with escalating amounts throughout the contract based on performance metrics and plate appearances.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Incentives | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | SD | – | $1,800,000 | – | $1,800,000 |
| 2024 | SD | $740,000 | – | $1,191,534 | $1,931,534 |
| 2025 | SD | $809,500 | – | – | $809,500 |
| Total Career | $1,549,500 | $1,800,000 | $1,191,534 | $4,541,034 |
Career Stats
| Year | Team | Games | At Bats | Runs | Hits | Doubles | Triples | Home Runs | RBIs | Stolen Bases | Batting Average | OBP | SLG | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | SD | 156 | 554 | 77 | 162 | 31 | 6 | 24 | 90 | 16 | .292 | .326 | .500 | .826 | 4.4 |
| 2025 | SD | 33 | 128 | 19 | 42 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 1 | .328 | .370 | .523 | .893 | 1.4 |
| Career | 189 | 682 | 96 | 204 | 39 | 7 | 29 | 112 | 17 | .299 | .334 | .504 | .839 | 5.8 |
FAQs
1. What is Jackson Merrill’s contract with the San Diego Padres worth?
Jackson Merrill signed a nine-year, $135 million extension with the San Diego Padres in April 2025. The contract includes a $10 million signing bonus and covers the 2026-2034 seasons, with a team option for 2035 that could become a player option.
2. How old was Jackson Merrill when he made his MLB debut?
Merrill was 20 years old when he made his major league debut on March 20, 2024, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He became the first rookie in Padres history to be selected for the All-Star Game during his debut season.
3. Who is Jackson Merrill’s girlfriend?
Jackson Merrill is dating Sammie Quinn, who has become popular among Padres fans. She frequently attends his games and shares their relationship moments on social media, building connections with other Padres players’ families.
4. What position does Jackson Merrill play for the Padres?
Merrill plays center field for the San Diego Padres. He transitioned to center field for the first time during spring training 2024 and has excelled at the position, earning recognition for his outstanding defensive play.
5. How much money has Jackson Merrill earned in his baseball career?
Through 2025, Merrill has earned approximately $4.5 million in his professional baseball career. This includes his $1.8 million signing bonus from 2021, salary earnings, and performance incentives from his time in the major leagues.
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