Padres Rumors: Friars May Call Up Top Prospect to Assist Playoff Push
The San Diego Padres season hasn’t quite lived up to the hype from the offseason. After taking down their rival in the postseason and adding to an already stacked roster, it was expected that the Friars would take that next step toward contention.
2023 was supposed to be the year that they truly competed for their first-ever World Series title. But at least so far, fate has had other ideas.
The Padres have seen a wildly inconsistent offense all season long and it has plagued them in the standings. They haven’t been able to find any footing to stand on and always find a way to fall back into old habits.
But with a little over a month left in the season, it’s go time for them. Anything that can help get them back into contention is warranted, and now the team is even considering calling up one of their top prospects to help with the potential playoff push.
Shortstop prospect Jackson Merrill could see his way to the big leagues sooner rather than later.
“According to people familiar with their thinking but not authorized to speak publicly, the team has had internal discussions about the possibility of calling Merrill up to the majors in September, when rosters expand to 28 players.”
If the team were to call up Merrill, it could be seen as both a push toward the playoffs and the team seeing what they have in him. A ton of teams call up top prospects in September when the roster expands to give reps to their younger guys.
It’s a win-win for the Padres here, and a risk that they may need to take. He has impressed during his time in the minor leagues and could provide a spark to this San Diego squad.
While it remains to be seen if he will indeed be called up, the Padres have to keep their options open. They can use all the help they can get at this point, so be on the lookout. Merrill could be making his debut sooner rather than later at this point.
