Despite a dearth of other options and available playing time for a guy who would have fit perfectly in a bench role in 2015 and as a starter in 2016 and 2017, the Royals kept choosing worse options. @supports (-moz-appearance:none){.koKsQt .share-button__square,.koKsQt .share-button__email{-webkit-filter:brightness(0%);filter:brightness(0%);}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-items{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ Whit will get an opportunity to discuss that statement at some point in time.. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo--mlb{-webkit-box-flex:99;-webkit-flex-grow:99;-ms-flex-positive:99;flex-grow:99;padding-right:0;padding-left:28px;}/*!sc*/ @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*/ data-styled.g140[id="sharestyle__Label-sc-9nfkvu-0"]{content:"ezZJVn,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon *{fill:currentColor;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{display:none;pointer-events:none;}/*!sc*/ It fits him perfectly, Schneider said. KC Royals Trades: How the midsummer deals worked out, KC Royals: A player the club shouldnt want to lose, KC Royals News: Coach search, Nicky Lopez, old friend. Merrifield has long been an everyday player for the Royals, playing all over the diamond, and interim manager John Schneider expects him to be in the lineup most days." img{border-style:none;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Keegan Matheson. Whit Merrifield out at home. in Florence, SC Merrifield returned to Northwest Arkansas to start 2014 and was promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers during the season. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. 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. Merrifield was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the ninth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. data-styled.g122[id="Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0"]{content:"dMKvOx,"}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input.left{padding-left:32px;}/*!sc*/ Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? .groqnz.markdown.youtube,.groqnz.photo figcaption.youtube,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed.youtube{padding:0;}/*!sc*/ [1][2][3] In the second game of the championship series at the 2010 College World Series, Merrifield hit a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning to give South Carolina the championship. .hHLkAw input[type='search']{height:32px;-webkit-appearance:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu--open{display:block;left:auto;opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-ms-clear{display:none;}/*!sc*/ And/or he could take a share of second base if Santiago Espinal hits as he did in the second half of last season. details{display:block;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;}}/*!sc*/ template{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ 26 games in he hit a big .182/239/227. body.article{font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff;line-height:1.5;}/*!sc*/ The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. .hHLkAw input:focus{outline:none;}/*!sc*/ 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. He could also spell Daulton Varsho in left. header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open{position:fixed;top:0px;z-index:99992;}/*!sc*/ 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. data-styled.g143[id="Styles__SocialContainer-sc-1h38xz1-0"]{content:"blLcNM,"}/*!sc*/ The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top__nav-items{display:none;}/*!sc*/ I wouldnt try to pass him. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav .scroll-buffer,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__subnav .scroll-buffer{padding-bottom:200px;}/*!sc*/ h1.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:2.074rem;margin-bottom:8px;}/*!sc*/ [type="number"]::-webkit-inner-spin-button,[type="number"]::-webkit-outer-spin-button{height:auto;}/*!sc*/ Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins did not comment on Merrifield's vaccination status during his . data-styled.g165[id="Styles__AspectRatioContent-sc-1t1lmmv-1"]{content:"fvEQJr,"}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.hUHmCp > article{margin:auto;max-width:967px;}.hUHmCp > article > section{grid-column:1 / span 8;}.hUHmCp > article > aside{display:block;grid-column:9 / 13;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline--no-sponsor{margin-right:0;}/*!sc*/ Those numbers will need to improve first. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.locale,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.search{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:focus,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:hover{border-radius:3px;background-color:#dddddd;color:#002867;}/*!sc*/ But things improved. 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. [30] Merrifield married his wife Jordan Michael on December 28, 2019. Lorenzo Cain got four hits Tues night in Minnesota which followed Salvador Perezsfive hit game Monday. He won a Fielding Bible Award for his defensive excellence. He could be part of a complicated platoon, playing left or right on Kiermaiers days off, with Varsho or Springer moving to center. .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu{background:#ffffff;border-top:solid 4px #002867;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);box-shadow:6px 6px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);left:-99em;opacity:0;padding:10px;position:absolute;right:0;-webkit-transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;width:160px;z-index:99992;}/*!sc*/ .ggWmAj .sticky-header__header{grid-column:1 / span 8;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:600;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ . 21,128th in major league history) .hHLkAw input::placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu{right:32px;top:calc(56px - 4px);}.mHQYb .mlb-header[data-is-club] .mlb-header__login-menu{top:calc(112px - 4px);}}/*!sc*/ (AP) 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 . .blUWSx .share-button{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;background:none;border:none;padding:0;cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Major League Baseball","lang":"en"} .hUHmCp{margin-top:24px;background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ When you play against certain teams, from the outside, theres certain teams that come in and you feel energy from them, Merrifield said. [31], Merrifield's father, Bill, played college baseball for Wake Forest University,[32] and spent six seasons in Minor League Baseball, primarily as a third baseman. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:focus{outline:1px dotted #041E42;}/*!sc*/ When Merrifield isnt starting a game, he'll be the perfect option off the bench late in games.\n\nIt fits him perfectly, Schneider said. Whit Merrifield had 126 hits last season and 1,035 hits over his career. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold.woff') format('woff');font-style:normal;font-weight:800;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ After barely losing in the final game of the 2014 World Series, the 2015 Kansas City Royals were on a mission: run it back, but win it all. .mHQYb .p-search-item__team-logo--container{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;margin-left:auto;}/*!sc*/ This hasnt been an issue for Toronto's players, of course, because while the same rules apply to them entering the United States, theyve all been vaccinated. montana frost depth map; Hola mundo! .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav ::-webkit-scrollbar{width:0px;}/*!sc*/ Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Probably 275 wins between them. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:hover{background-color:#057AFF;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Whitley, his nickname, is a contact hitter with a great eye, starting his big league career hitting safely in each of his first . body.side-nav-open{max-height:100vh;overflow:hidden;overscroll-behavior:none;touch-action:none;position:fixed;top:0;width:100vw;}/*!sc*/ .kwDmpG input{box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:16px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header [class$='__nav-item__text'],.mHQYb header.mlb-header [class$='__nav-item__link'],.mHQYb header.mlb-header [class$='__button-text']{text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Royals Rumblings - News for March 3, 2023. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-weight:700;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;padding:10px 12px;}/*!sc*/ .ihHuHi{font-size:19px;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:8px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#081c3b;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:italic;}/*!sc*/ I love running, Merrifield said, grinning. Feb. 8Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield made his big-league debut in 2016, but it very nearly came a year earlier. Thats fine. h2.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:1.2rem;margin-bottom:8px;color:#666666;}/*!sc*/ To him, his father Bill Merrifield and mother Kissy Merrifield are the main strength for his . 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Whitley David Merrifield (born January 24, 1989) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). .ezZJVn:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(3){-webkit-transform:rotate(-45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(-45deg);transform:rotate(-45deg);}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield's grandfather, Bill, talks about the joy of seeing his grandson play for the Royals at the Major League level. .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-thumbnail--rounded{background-color:#f7f7f7;margin-top:0;margin-left:0.25rem;height:40px;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;border-radius:50%;}/*!sc*/ In 2015, Merrifield played for Omaha where he posted a .265 batting average with five home runs and 38 RBIs in 135 games. See, the Royals had no idea what they had in Merrifield, robbing him of an opportunity to contribute to a World Series squad. @media (min-width:1024px){.groqnz.markdown,.groqnz.photo figcaption,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed{padding:0;}}/*!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). Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 2-1 win over the White Sox. In a vacuum, watching him play baseball for the Royals was a joy. Shortly thereafter, Merrifield, playing in Omaha for the Triple-A Stormchasers, was yanked out of the game for no apparent reason. @media only screen and (min-width:568px){.kwDmpG{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex:1;-webkit-flex-grow:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;margin-right:8px;}}/*!sc*/ pre{font-family:monospace,monospace;font-size:1em;}/*!sc*/ In his last 18 games of the season, he hit .400/.424/.709 with 4 home runs. Whit Merrifield is on Instagram at whitmerrifield. Merrifield, who made his major league debut with the Royals in 2016, is slated to be a free agent after next year. Im saying 'excited' a lot. article > header{padding:0 16px;}/*!sc*/ button,input,optgroup,select,textarea{font-family:inherit;font-size:100%;line-height:1.15;margin:0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-items{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;width:100%;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ Your Cactus League leaders, the Kansas City Royals! The 28-year-old Whit Merrifield is an American professional baseball second baseman and left fielder, he was born in Florence, South Carolina. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo--with-sponsor,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo--with-sponsor,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo--with-tagline,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo--with-tagline{display:none;}/*!sc*/ @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*/ The Blue Jays are bringing the game to opponents doorsteps, and the new guy loves it.\n\nI love running, Merrifield said, grinning. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top > *{-webkit-order:0;-ms-flex-order:0;order:0;-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;}/*!sc*/ There is a question of what his role will be this year. h5.headlinestyle__HeadlineWrapper-sc-1ccyctx-0{font-weight:normal;}/*!sc*/ He could platoon in center, Kevin Kiermaier really shouldnt be playing against left-handed pitching. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. Purple Cain, etc. .mHQYb header.mlb-header a:focus,.mHQYb header.mlb-header button:focus,.mHQYb header.mlb-header [class*='__nav']:focus{outline:1px dotted #fff;}/*!sc*/ Whit came to us in trade from the Royals on August 2nd last year for Samad Taylor and Max Castillo. University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC). the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Chicago has two teams that are so great they will average 135 wins at least. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team:first-of-type:before{content:'Teams';}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-moz-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ Charlie Riedel. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo img,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo a{height:56px;}/*!sc*/ 1 ago. data-styled.g147[id="Styles__MarkdownContainer-dxqlie-0"]{content:"eJdqRG,"}/*!sc*/ body.article .ad-top-container{background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:8px 0;min-height:66px;}/*!sc*/ Javascript is required for the selection of a player. .blUWSx .share-icon__close{width:18px;}/*!sc*/ [14] "Cool Whit" T-shirts[15] were also circulating amongst Royals fans. Royals Reportedly "More Open" To Trading Whit Merrifield Than In Past. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav ::-webkit-scrollbar-track,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb{background:transparent;}/*!sc*/ .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*/ .blUWSx{height:30px;position:relative;width:30px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top [class$='__nav-item__text']{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield had 11 home runs last season and 79 home runs over his career. .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-selector{width:3px;height:100%;}/*!sc*/ Do you have a blog? [26] On August 4, 2022, Merrifield announced that he was now vaccinated and would be able to play in the team's first game in Toronto since being acquired. The two-time All-Star noted he could possibly change his mind over the jab depending on a potential future situation. However, I cant help but think that the current world had one of the worst outcomes: Merrifield still hasnt gotten to play for a contender, the Royals still lost a bunch of games, the Royals never got a premier prospect in return for Merrifield trade, and the Royals still ended up trading Merrifield but only after comments of his riled up a large portion of the franchise fans. It was something that I probably could have handled a little better, Merrifield said, but whats happened has happened. This is one of those teams. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Im excited to be part of this team., New Kids on the Block pic.twitter.com/rBuQY55Sus. body{margin:0;}/*!sc*/ button::-moz-focus-inner,[type="button"]::-moz-focus-inner,[type="reset"]::-moz-focus-inner,[type="submit"]::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(2),.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(3){top:8px;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield to the Blue Jays might be the greatest troll ever. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Merrifield was a ninth-round draft pick of the Royals out of the University of South Carolina in 2010. In 2012, with both Wilmington and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, he compiled a .258 batting average with nine home runs and 44 RBIs in 125 games between both teams. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ a{background-color:transparent;}/*!sc*/ Its sad, too. He is the definition of a professional hitter, someone who can make contact with every kind of pitch and hit the ball all over the field. One . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group-title{color:#aaaaaa;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;text-transform:uppercase;}/*!sc*/ Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Whit Merrifield is a Second Baseman and Outfielder. data-styled.g154[id="newsletterLogostyle__NewsletterLogoContainer-sc-j5dgcz-0"]{content:"bZhBFV,"}/*!sc*/ He also tied for the major league lead in sacrifice flies, with 12. And it happened again on Sunday when I saw Blue Jays right fielder Whit Merrifield hit a home run against the Yankees that bounced on the top of the wall not once, but twice. [type="checkbox"],[type="radio"]{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ [type="search"]::-webkit-search-decoration{-webkit-appearance:none;}/*!sc*/ sub{bottom:-0.25em;}/*!sc*/ In these situations, that generally means one thing: that player is likely to get called up to the show. (Age 27-115d, h1{font-size:2em;margin:0.67em 0;}/*!sc*/ Cheslor Cuthbert could. .blUWSx .share-list__item{position:absolute;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top{height:56px;}/*!sc*/ He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. .mHQYb header.mlb-header{width:100%;font-family:'proxima-nova','mlb-primary','Helvetica Neue', 'Helvetica','Arial',sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size:14px;font-weight:500;line-height:15px;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Whit Bird, Two-hit Whit are nicknames for Whit Merrifield. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(1){top:0px;}/*!sc*/ Second Baseman and Outfielder, Born: @media (min-width:1024px){article > header{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container__primary.resizing{overflow-y:hidden;}/*!sc*/ All picks and predictions are suggestions only. article ul{list-style:disc;}/*!sc*/ Get behind-the-scenes Gamecocks news. Royals infielder Whit Merrifield's streak of playing in a franchise-record 553 straight games ended Monday when he missed the opener of a doubleheader against Detroit because of a toe injury. Whit Merrifield has played for 2 teams; the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays. If he doesnt, we have no end of utility players in the upper minors. .mHQYb .p-search-item{display:block;background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'mlb-primary','Helvetica Neue','Helvetica','Arial', sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ Thats why hes here.. Do you have a sports website? .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__leagues{min-width:600px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__divisions{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__divisions > *{-webkit-flex:1 0 200px;-ms-flex:1 0 200px;flex:1 0 200px;margin-left:0;}}/*!sc*/ He deserves it, and thanks to the Royals trade, hes gonna get a fair shot at it. Its very difficult at times to articulate feelings and emotions. I have to accept that and move on. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-style:italic;font-weight:800;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ Canada does not allow unvaccinated people into the country, which has prevented dozens of . Thats the only reason that I would think about getting it at this point, is to go to Canada, Merrifield said, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item__link{width:100%;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;padding:14px;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on May 18, 2016, instantly batting in the top third of the lineup and soon taking the starting second baseman job from Omar Infante. And even if he has to go a long way, he gets there. .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*/ Merrifields skills and talents are easy to spot. @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group:not(:first-child){margin-left:16px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group.cols{-webkit-column-count:2;column-count:2;-webkit-column-gap:8px;column-gap:8px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group-title{width:100%;}}/*!sc*/ A history of the Sports Reference Sponsorship System. h5.headlinestyle__HeadlineWrapper-sc-1ccyctx-0{font-weight:normal;}/*!sc*/ Free Agent: 2024, More Whit Merrifield Pages at Baseball Reference, 2022 Blue Jays .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner{opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ It seemed like we had enough middle infielders, and Santiago Espinal made the All-Star team. .groqnz .ad-body-container .ad-body-inner-container::before{color:#dddddd;content:"ADVERTISEMENT";display:block;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:0.694rem;line-height:13px;position:absolute;top:17px;text-align:center;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-icon{width:25px;cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium-it.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium-it.woff') format('woff');font-weight:500;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header__login-menu{border-color:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular.woff') format('woff');font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ Im excited to be a Blue Jay, and Im excited to get to Toronto and play at Rogers Centre.. They lost more than 100 games in both 2018 and 2019 with Merrifield playing at the peak of his brilliance, notching 398 hits as the Royals decomposed around him. We present them here for purely educational purposes. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.15);background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ Like the 1,200 miles Mr Bill Merrifield Sr. drove to see his grandson Whit play in The Show for the KC Royals. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__league{margin-bottom:5px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams{padding:8px;}/*!sc*/ He tied for the MLB lead with 42 doubles, and led the American League with 40 steals. .evGxub{display:inline-block;width:48px;height:48px;border-radius:50%;-webkit-border-radius:50%;overflow:hidden;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield (@WhitMerrifield) August 4, 2022. Hes a talented defender who can play half a dozen positions and one of the more skillful basestealing artists of recent memory. In 2016, the Royals finally called up Merrifield as a hedge against the continually flailing Infante, who they released shortly thereafter. Whit Merrifield made $7,000,000.00 last year. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon-globe{margin-left:32px;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff') format('woff');font-weight:500;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/