Jackson Merrill links up with Padres prospects Kai Murphy, Wyatt Hoffman at a favored Italian restaurant in Scottsdale 

Jackson Merrill could not have asked for a better rookie season in MLB. Now, the Padres freshman is imparting some of his big-league knowledge on the next generation of prospects.

On Sunday, the 21 year-old took to Instagram to show off his dinner plans. Merrill was pictured alongside Kai Murphy, Wyatt Hoffman, two top Padres prospects. After posing for some chummy photos, the trio sat in for an elaborate meal at Ella, a local Italian restaurant in Scottsdale.

Kai Murphy and Wyatt Hoffman showing off their meeting with Padres rookie Jackson Merrill

A 2021 first round San Diego draft pick, it was not long ago that Jackson Merrill himself was an untested rookie. However, ahead of the 2024 season, the Maryland-native was called up to the bigs, and recorded his first career MLB RBI against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the MLB Seoul Series in March.

Murphy and Hoffman a 24 year-old outfielder and a 25 year-old outfielder respectively, both signed to the San Diego Padres as free agents following college. Merrill met Murphy playing on Single-A Fort Wayne in 2023 before getting his own nod to the big-leagues.

Kai Murphy is a native of Chandler, Arizona, and spent the 2024 season playing with Fort Wayne of the Midwest League. In 117 games, the 5-foot-8 outfielder hit .235/.342/.353 with 6 homers and 43 RBIs. Hoffman hit .219/.347/.329 in 95 games spent with two Padres A affiliates in 2024.

"Still in awe of Jackson Merrill’s age 21 season: 5.3 fWAR, 24 HR, 90 RBI, 16 SB, 12 OAA!" - Sam Fosberg

Jackson Merrill was among the best rookies in MLB this season. In 156 games, the outfielder hit .292 with 24 home runs and 90 RBIs. He is now considered to be an integral part of the Padres' core, alongside stars like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

Jackson Merrill hoped for even more in rookie season

While most new MLB arrivals are simply focused on keeping their place on the team, Merrill's showcase of talent propelled him into a leadership role with his club. As he told MLB Network radio during the recent World Series:

"Whenever I see someone do something cool in the playoffs now it's like, 'Damn, I wish that could be me. I wish I could be doing that, I wish it was the Padres on the field."

Although his club met their end in 2024 at the hands of LA in the NLDS, Friars fans can rest assured that Merrill likely has plenty more seasons like 2024 left in him.