SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres selected shortstop Jackson Merrill from Severna Park High School (Md.) with the 27th overall pick in MLB’s 2021 First-Year Player Draft, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager A.J. Preller and Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Conner announced today.
Recommended by Padres Area Scout Danny Sader, Merrill was named the 2021 Capital Gazette Player of the Year after tying his school record with 13 home runs in his senior season and batting .500 with 39 RBI, 34 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. The native of Severna Park, Md. led the Falcons to a 17-1 record and a runner-up finish in the 2021 4A state tournament, and he 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. Merrill, 18, currently has a college commitment to the University of Kentucky.
The MLB draft will continue tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. PT with rounds 2-10, and will conclude on Tuesday, July 13th with rounds 11-20.