"Almost all of them want to play shortstop" - Padres manager claims Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis willing to change position, but not Manny Machado

The San Diego Padres have multiple shortstops in their lineup and can field numerous option to play the position including Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. However, Padres manager Mike Shildt revelaed that not all of them want to play the position. He said while Merrill and Tatis are keen to move in from the outfield, Machado is not willing to shift from his spot at third base.

Jackson Merrill made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres at the start of the 2024 season and finished as the runner-up in the National League Rookie of the Year standings. Although he rose through the minor leagues as a shortstop, he was transitioned into the outfield during spring training as there were already too many infielders for that position.

Fernando Tatis Jr. also started his MLB career as a shortstop for the Padres before he was shifted out to right field following his return from his PED suspension last year. Manny Machado has played the position for the Friars as well, but he has mostly started as a third baseman throughout his 13-year career.

Mike Shildt explained the Padres' shortstop situation for next season when he appeared as a guest on the Foul Territory podcast this Monday.

"Almost all of them want to play shortstop still," Shildt said. "We'll figure out who it actually is, and there may be somebody outside the organization. Still, we're not sure. We're having these conversations internally with our group to figure out who it is on the roster and who it is outside the roster.

"Tatis Jr. likes to get his ground balls over there," he added. "I think Merrill is pretty comfortable in center, but he'll take his ground balls. I don't think Manny wants any part of it anymore, but [Jake Cronenworth] is always like, 'I got it.'"

Ha-Seong Kim was the primary shortstop for the Padres in 2024, but he is currently on the free agent market.

Jackson Merrill's outstanding rookie campaign

Jackson Merrill was selected as the 27th overall pick of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Padres (Source: Imagn)

Jackson Merrill was quite unlucky to miss out on the NL Rookie of the Year award, especially as he had to adapt to a new position in his very first year in the major leagues. The 21-year-old was excellent inside the batter's box and also played solid defense in centerfield despite being completely new to the position.

Merrill batted .292/.326/.500 during the regular season with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs and 127 OPS+ to collect a Silver Slugger Award. He also played 155 games for the Padres in centerfield and posted a .993 fielding percentage with eight outfield assists and four double plays.