.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ He is a two-time All-Star, and led the . Merrifield, who was in a four-man competition for the starting second-base job this spring, said he was told at the end of camp to just go down there [to Omaha] and work., Merrifield principally was called up to jump-start a sagging offense. 21,128th in major league history) .mHQYb .p-search-item__container:hover{background-color:#e6f2ff75;color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ .epHHrr iframe{max-width:100%;}/*!sc*/ Its been a long thought process. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-url-logos > *{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;}/*!sc*/ I like Whit Merrifields Granddad for Cains nickname. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav{border-top:solid 4px #057AFF;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-icon{width:25px;cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ boca raton police activity today. This is a trade that the Blue Jays needed to make. .hHLkAw input:-ms-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Unfortunately for Merrifield, he wasnt in. article > section{font-size:1.2rem;font-family:Georgia,serif;}/*!sc*/ .drUhS{pointer-events:none;width:100%;height:100%;display:inline-block;overflow:visible;fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header__login-menu__link:hover{background-color:#057AFF;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{display:none;pointer-events:none;}/*!sc*/ main{display:block;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield was ready for the big leagues in 2014, when he hit .340/.373/.474 in Triple-A as a 25-year-old. My grandfather was a Yankees fan because he was born before the Royals existed. .groqnz.markdown,.groqnz.photo figcaption,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed{padding:0 16px;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-club] .header__nav-top{background-image:linear-gradient( #002D72 50%, #041E42 50% );}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent::after{border-color:transparent transparent #057AFF;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--current{border-color:#057AFF;}}/*!sc*/ .fYCiRB{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;height:40px;width:40px;}/*!sc*/ After barely losing in the final game of the 2014 World Series, the 2015 Kansas . data-styled.g140[id="sharestyle__Label-sc-9nfkvu-0"]{content:"ezZJVn,"}/*!sc*/ .ggWmAj{background:#ffffff;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);max-height:64px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 16px;position:fixed;top:0;width:100%;z-index:2;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield graduated from Davie County High School in Mocksville, North Carolina. data-styled.g10[id="buttonstyle__Label-sc-vlv7w5-0"]{content:"iwXciG,"}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){body.article .ad-top-container{min-height:106px;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield has never won a World Series. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__secondary-logos{width:100%;-webkit-order:-1;-ms-flex-order:-1;order:-1;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container{-webkit-order:0;-ms-flex-order:0;order:0;-webkit-flex-basis:80%;-ms-flex-preferred-size:80%;flex-basis:80%;}}/*!sc*/ Probably 275 wins between them. Whit Merrifield said last month he might be willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if it meant playing for a team in contention, even though he had refused to get the shot while playing for the last-place Kansas City Royals. @media (min-width:500px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__secondary-logos{-webkit-flex-basis:60%;-ms-flex-preferred-size:60%;flex-basis:60%;}}/*!sc*/ But even then, when Merrifield had demonstrated his competency, he didnt win the starting second base job out of springthough he was the best option. Players are running whenever possible, and sometimes when it doesnt look possible. .mHQYb .p-search__list--sm{font-size:12px;min-width:150px;}/*!sc*/ 26 games in he hit a big .182/239/227. They love to run, so thats right up my alley.. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-items{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;padding-top:2px;}/*!sc*/ . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner{width:100%;display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ But now that the biggest question of all has been answered, Toronto can exhale and focus on the postseason race ahead. .iwXciG{display:inline-block;}/*!sc*/ .groqnz.markdown.youtube,.groqnz.photo figcaption.youtube,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed.youtube{padding:0;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-moz-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group-title{color:#aaaaaa;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;text-transform:uppercase;}/*!sc*/ Menu Whit Merrifield was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC). @media screen and (-ms-high-contrast:active),(-ms-high-contrast:none){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo{height:30px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo img{min-height:30px;height:auto !important;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline img{width:100%;}}/*!sc*/ Scouting Director: Danny Ontiveros. In 2011, Merrifield played for the Wilmington Blue Rocks where he batted .262 with five home runs and 36 RBIS. No, it didnt say "congratulations" or Ill miss you. It was a tweet showing Merrifields 2022 stats versus his expected numbers, with Greinke telling Merrifield that hes a good player, even if the numbers havent shown that fully over the first 96 games. He tied for the MLB lead with 42 doubles, and led the American League with 40 steals. Whits father Bill Merrifield, hit a measly .400 at Wake Forest during his college career. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item__subnav-arrow{color:#ffffff;margin-left:auto;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-size:10px;opacity:0.5;}/*!sc*/ .dLQAwR a:hover{color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ h2.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:1.2rem;margin-bottom:8px;color:#666666;}/*!sc*/ [18], In 2019, he batted .302/.348/.463 and led the major leagues in games (162), at bats (681), singles (139), triples (10), and line drive percentage (28.2%), while stealing 20 bases and leading the majors in caught stealing (10). .dLQAwR .contributor__text--twitter{font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ .XOHMa{bottom:0;left:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;}/*!sc*/ For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. And when Merrifield broke out, the Royals, doomed by nearly a decade of draft class failures and league-worst pitching development, were toast. .kKeedG:hover{border-bottom:none;color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ coln's grandfather was a resident of Rockingham county at that time, and being of suitable age for service, and that the corporal bore the name of Abraham Lincoln, if seems quite prob . If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-items{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ [21], In 2021, Merrifield hit .277/.317/.395 with 10 home runs and 74 RBIs. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. But Merrifields story is somewhat tragic because of things completely out of his control. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team.p-search-item--es:first-of-type:before{content:'Equipos';}/*!sc*/ .drUhS path{fill:#000000;}/*!sc*/ .huJzbO{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}/*!sc*/ The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. 1 ago. From top to bottom, its exciting baseball. His season numbers werent great, .250/.298/.375 with 11 home runs, 16 steals (only one with the Jays). The Whit Merrifield story begins on July 8, 2015. hr{box-sizing:content-box;height:0;overflow:visible;}/*!sc*/ .hUHmCp > article > header,.hUHmCp > article > section{grid-column:1 / span 12;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo{padding-left:20px;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g166[id="Styles__VideoPlayerContainer-t94iyc-0"]{content:"XOHMa,"}/*!sc*/ He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals. I dont think well see him steal 40 bases ever again, but he could stay in that 10-20 range. He also led the American League with 34 stolen bases, the fewest total for a league leader since Luis Aparicio led the AL with 31 in 1962. Merrifield signed an extremely team-friendly deal entering the 2019 season and has really provided surplus value to Kansas City for the last three seasons. Exceeded rookie limits during 2016 season, 2023 Contract Status: button:-moz-focusring,[type="button"]:-moz-focusring,[type="reset"]:-moz-focusring,[type="submit"]:-moz-focusring{outline:1px dotted ButtonText;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq:hover svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .drUhS rect{fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ code,kbd,samp{font-family:monospace,monospace;font-size:1em;}/*!sc*/ .fuMUTu path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.blLcNM .content{grid-column:1 / span 8;}.blLcNM .content .share-btn{-webkit-align-self:flex-end;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;margin-bottom:16px;top:0;}}/*!sc*/ .blLcNM .content{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;grid-column:1 / span 12;}/*!sc*/ Cavan Biggio has been a major disappointment while Santiago Espinal has been ice cold after a hot start to the season. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__secondary-logos img{max-height:56px;max-width:none;}/*!sc*/ He could also spell Daulton Varsho in left. Thats why his acquisition by the Blue Jays on Tuesday caught so many off guard, given the vaccine requirements to cross the Canada-U.S. border. Hes 34, but hes only one year removed from a 3.6 bWAR season. Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(2){-webkit-transform:rotate(45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(45deg);transform:rotate(45deg);}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item .icon__subnav-arrow{-webkit-transform:rotate(-90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(-90deg);transform:rotate(-90deg);margin-right:0;width:11px;height:11px;float:none;}/*!sc*/ .hYmwpY{display:block;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-icon__close{width:18px;}/*!sc*/ Listen to The Drive with Danny & Cdot on 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City from 2-6 pm. Do you have a blog? There is a question of what his role will be this year. He is a two-time All-Star, and led the American League in stolen bases three times. data-styled.g120[id="headlinestyle__HeadlineWrapper-sc-1ccyctx-0"]{content:"jDETbc,hSQYJO,"}/*!sc*/ . Feb. 8Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield made his big-league debut in 2016, but it very nearly came a year earlier. If he doesnt, we have no end of utility players in the upper minors. [35][36], Last edited on 12 February 2023, at 22:52, Canada's COVID-19 vaccination requirement, List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders, List of University of South Carolina people, Major League Baseball consecutive games played streaks, "Merrifield, former CWS hero, is back in Omaha", "Four years after delivering a CWS title to South Carolina, Merrifield's a hit with Chasers", "Whit Merrifield Selected By Kansas City Royals In Ninth Round Of 2010 MLB Draft", "Whit Merrifield Minor League Statistics & History", "Merrifield's focus keeps him 'locked in', "Kansas City Royals call up Whit Merrifield from minors", "Merrifield notches hit in major league debut", "Fan Creates Ode to Royals Rookie Cool Whit Merrifield", "Whit Merrifield Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball", "Congrats to Whit Merrifield, your AL stolen base champ! Merrifields comments sparked some backlash, with Royals president Dayton Moore sharing Thursday on The Program with Soren Petro that he was very disappointed by what he heard. data-styled.g162[id="Styles__NewsletterOptinContainer-sc-10yslsy-0"]{content:"sczZi,"}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield, who had the CWS-winning hit in 2010 for South Carolina, had . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav{text-align:left;background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield is a 34-year-old, right-handed hitting second baseman/outfielder (and he also played some first base for us, and he pitched an inning for us last year). Whit Merrifield. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ Whit will make $6.75 million and has a mutual option worth $18 million next year, with a $500,000 buyout. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header--inner{margin:auto;max-width:none;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ The Royals' Whit Merrifield told reporters he was "truly sorry" for comments he made about COVID-19 vaccines as Kansas City kicked off the second half of its season. @media screen and (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item:hover{background-color:#057AFF;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container__primary.resizing{overflow-y:hidden;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{margin-right:5px;width:10px;height:15px;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;}/*!sc*/ the westin kierland villas; learn flags of the world quiz; etihad airways soccer team players .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container{-webkit-order:99;-ms-flex-order:99;order:99;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:99 1 100%;-ms-flex:99 1 100%;flex:99 1 100%;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__league{margin-bottom:5px;}/*!sc*/ He deserves it, and thanks to the Royals trade, hes gonna get a fair shot at it.