"Gen Z" Jackson Merrill shares why he gets along with older Padres teammates ft. Yu Darvish, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts

Less than 15 months since his MLB debut, Jackson Merrill has become a key figure in the San Diego Padres setup. His 2024 rookie season, which ranked him 2nd in the NL Rookie of the Year rankings, brought some fresh flavour and youthful exuberance to the Padres roster lineup featuring some very experienced names.

But for Jackson Merrill, it has been an easy transition from the minor leagues to the MLB, getting along with players like Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Yu Darvish, with years of big-league experience. On the "On Base with Mookie Betts" podcast, Merrill revealed the reason.

When asked whether Merrill identifies himself as a 'Gen Z', the 22-year-old explained how his bond with his brother made him accustomed to spending more time with players who are nearly a decade older.

"My brother's—he's 34. That made it easier for me coming up. My brother’s 12 years older than me, so all my teammates are pretty much the same way—same age. And like, my brother has two kids. Yeah, right. Like, it’s kind of the same way, so it’s easy," Merrill said.

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Jackson's brother, Josh Merrill, has been a guiding light in his life. Previously, an article by The Athletic on the Merrill family revealed his brother's influence in his life, bringing out his competitiveness.

"From his older brother by 12 years, also named Josh, he learned how to succeed in various endeavors against advanced competition," the article said.

Last year, Merrill told Padres reporters about how he likes to 'hang out' with his colleagues before the games, thus showcasing the camaraderie and the bond he has developed with the team.

"The biggest thing for me is just how I come to the field every day, and it's literally a family in here. I try to get here as early as possible some days, just so I can hang out with these guys. That's the best part," Merrill had said.

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Dave Roberts makes feelings known about Jackson Merrill

While they chatted on the podcast, Mookie Betts and Jackson Merrill were on opposing sides of the plate for the last three days as the Padres and Dodgers squared off. Ahead of their Game 3 win, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts spoke to reporters about Merrill's talent.

"Jackson Merrill is good for the game...I love watching him play, I love the energy. Wish he was wearing a different uniform because we'll have to deal with that guy for a long time," Roberts said.

There is a lot of pressure on Merrill to continue delivering after his record-breaking 2024 season, where he had a .292 batting average with 92 RBIs and 24 home runs. He has started well this year, having hit 26 RBIs and 5 home runs at a .303 pace in 42 games.