"Jackson Merrill ruined this" - MLB fans diss Padres star's John Hancock in first ever triple autograph card with Jackson Holliday, Jackson Chourio

The rookie trio of Jackson Merrill, Jackson Holliday, and Jackson Chourio encapsulated the very best of rookie hitting this season. After the trio came together to sign a historic baseball card, it became clear that for at least one of them, penmanship does not compare to his baseball acumen.

On Sunday, Topps Baseball Cards released the first-ever triple-autograph card with the three rookie Jacksons. Unfortunately, Jackson Merrill's signature on the back of the card raised a few eyebrows from fans.

Apart from Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Merrill is the favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award. However, the autograph given by the Padres' freshman on the back of the card has incited a response from fans - many of whom have accused the 21-year-old of some rather obscene chirography.

Fans poking fun at the simplicity of Jackson Merrill's autograph

While fans are levying accusations of laziness against Merrill for his signature, the Maryland-born outfielder was anything but lazy during his 156 games for the San Diego Padres this season. In addition to posting a 4.4 WAR, Merrill hit .292/.326/.500, connecting for 24 home runs and 90 RBIs.

MLB fans blaming Merrill for not putting together a more elaborate signature on the Topps card

In addition to Skenes, Jackson Merrill's NL Rookie of the Year hopes are challenged by another figure on the card - Jackson Chourio. At just 20 years old, the Venezuelan put on a clinic for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. In 148 games, Chourio hit .275 with 21 home runs and 79 RBIs.

Merrill's signature certainly made him no friends

More fans lambasting Merrill's autograph

Padres want to keep Jackson Merrill around for his bat rather than his pen

Although Merrill could likely have put forth a more aesthetic signature, he is not paid to sign cards, but rather to play baseball. After the star hit .250 with a homer and five RBIs in the 2024 postseason, teammate Xander Bogaerts claimed to MLB.com:

"This guy, me, at that age, I played in the World Series. But this guy was so much better than me at that age."

In every game that he played in 2024, Merrill was clearly having an awesome amount of fun. While the criticism over his signature was indeed scathing in some instances, Merrill will have a chance to put the detractors to rest if he continues to swing the bat in the fashion that he has.