San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill made a young fan’s day on Wednesday \u2014 and nearly made his year.<\/p>\n
Merrill spent part of Wednesday’s game playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with a young fan while he was in the dugout. The outfielder revealed why he chose to do so and gave the results of the intense matchup between him and the young kid in the stands. <\/p>\n
“The kid asked me to play Rock, Paper, Scissors for an autograph, and he asked me for, like, three straight innings. So I finally turned around and played, and I actually won,” Merrill said to Padres insider Annie Heilbrunn. “Credit to myself. I never win Rock, Paper, Scissors, but I actually won. So, sorry to the kid that he didn’t get an autograph.”<\/p>\n
Late in the game, I saw Jackson Merrill turn around in the dugout and play a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a young kid in the stands. I asked him about it. The answer, as you can imagine, is perfect \ud83d\ude02 pic.twitter.com\/vEbdDbuEny<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Merrill’s energy also helped the Padres earn a 7-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants<\/a> on Wednesday. He helped the Padres score their first run of the game by scoring from first on a ground ball to third base and an error. <\/p>\n Jackson Merrill scores on an error by Matt Chapman#ForTheFaithful<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wyyLJ7VnHw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n His energy from the start of the matchup reached the rest of the dugout as the offense finally came to life with help from a lineup change.<\/a><\/p>\n “Jackson made a great play, great read getting to home,” manager Craig Stammen said. \u201cHe can provide that energy. He slides in, jumps around, got that youthful energy. That\u2019s contagious and kind of helps us get going.”<\/p>\n Jackson Merrill Takes on Leadership Role With Padres in 2026<\/p>\n The 22-year-old Merrill chose to remain with the Padres this spring instead ofparticipating in the World Baseball Classic<\/a> throughout March. Merrill’s decision has already paid dividends given he’s brought an energetic leadership to the clubhouse early in 2026. <\/p>\n \u201cIt has taken the pressure off of myself, Manny [Machado, Xander Bogaerts] to be the guy all the time,\u201d Joe Musgrove said to the San Diego Union-Tribune<\/a> this spring of Merrill’s leadership. \u201cWe\u2019ve got six guys in here that can be the guy. And if somebody is maybe not ready for that speech or by their performance, they feel \u2018I\u2019m not the guy,\u2019 then [another] guy can step up. We\u2019ve got to pick each other up a little more to be like a strong leadership group.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t step on anyone\u2019s toes,\u201d added Machado. \u201cHe just came in here, he wanted to work. He didn\u2019t really want any of the B.S. He just wanted to work and play baseball. And we respect that.”<\/p>\n The offense was sluggish to start the season as the Padres began the year with five consecutive games in which they\u2019d scored three runs or fewer. The Friars hadn’t begun a season with six games of three runs or fewer since their inaugural 1969 campaign. <\/p>\n Merrill made sure to change that.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just me playing aggressively,\u201d Merrill said. \u201cHave that energy, come to the clubhouse at nine in the morning and wake everybody up. That\u2019s what I love to do.\u201d<\/p>\n While the Padres finished their homestand with a 2-4 record, Stammen promised fans that wouldn’t be the case in the future. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to play better here at Petco,\u201d Stammen said. \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019ve done in the past, and we\u2019re going to continue to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Merrill figures to play a big role in that, both with his play and the energy he brings day in and day out.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m ready to bring that energy every day, No. 1,\u201d Merrill said to the Tribune this spring. \u201cThat\u2019s something I have to do is bring that energy, same smile, same eff-you attitude to the field. And then also just come in and don\u2019t be afraid to speak. If I see something that can help the team, say it, don\u2019t hold back. I\u2019m ready to just be that guy, be the leader I\u2019m supposed to be and play like I\u2019m supposed to.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s my [biggest] goal.\u201d<\/p>\n Sign up to our free newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0X\/Twitter<\/a>\u00a0for the latest news.<\/p>\n