Jackson Merrill and Mike Shildt have been named finalists for the 2024 MLB Awards

SAN DIEGO – The Padres have two finalists for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards, which will be announced later this month.

Center fielder Jackson Merrill is a contender for National League Rookie of the Year honors along with Milwaukee outfielder Jackson Chourio and Pittsburgh pitcher Paul Skenes.

Meanwhile, Mike Shildt, fresh off his contract extension, is nominated for NL Manager of the Year along with Milwaukee’s Pat Murphy and the Mets’ Carlos Mendoza.

None of these nominations should be a surprise. Merrill is coming off perhaps the best rookie season in franchise history. Shildt, meanwhile, led the Padres to a 93-69 season after a disappointing 2023 season – the second-highest win total in club history.

The Rookie of the Year award will be announced on November 18th, followed by the Manager of the Year award on November 19th – both on MLB Network, with the awards ceremonies beginning at 3:00 p.m. PT. The Padres did not have a finalist for the MVP or Cy Young Awards, although there are a few candidates who could each receive a negative vote.

Merrill made his major league debut in Korea during the season-opening Seoul Series playing center field. That alone was remarkable: He joined Andruw Jones and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players to start in center field on Opening Day before their 21st birthdays.

Add to that the fact that Merrill was a lifelong shortstop who had never played center at any level…

“What he has done is incredible and his energy has always been top notch,” Padres third baseman Manny Machado said. “We put him in so many situations — Korea, an All-Star Game, exciting moments.”

Merrill was successful in all areas. He was the youngest Padres player to ever play in an All-Star Game, but his season didn’t really take off until the second half. Merrill was the author of one big home run after another – including five game-winning home runs or go-ahead throws in the ninth inning or later. He was the youngest player in MLB history to achieve this feat.

At the end of the season, Merrill led all MLB rookies in hits (162), extra-base hits (61), RBIs (90), batting average (.292) and slugging percentage (.500). With 24 home runs, he tied for first with Baltimore’s Colton Cowser.

No Padres player has won the Rookie of the Year award since Benito Santiago in 1987. Merrill’s main competition for that honor is Skenes, who had a similarly dominant season on the mound, although Skenes was called up in May and made just 23 starts. Skenes had a higher bWAR and Merrill had a higher fWAR. It’s getting tight.

It could also be the manager of the year. Like Shildt, Mendoza led a disappointing team to the 24 postseason in 2023. Murphy, in turn, led the Brewers back to the playoffs after the surprising departure of Craig Counsell to the Cubs.

But Shildt’s case for becoming the Padres’ first Manager of the Year award since Bud Black in 2010 is solid. The Padres improved situationally and were much better in close games in 2024 under Shildt. Their clubhouse also improved significantly after significant roster changes occurred.

It’s often difficult to diagnose the factors that can be attributed directly to a manager’s influence, but Shildt deserves a lot of credit for San Diego’s success on the field in 2024. The Padres agreed, completing an extension Wednesday that gave Shildt will be kept in San Diego until 2027.

“This expansion is a sign that production has done a really good job,” said general manager AJ Preller. “He took a talented group and brought them together from day one. He brought a competitive spirit to our team and brought much joy, energy and happiness to the city of San Diego. It was a lot of fun being here with him this year.”