Padres' Shildt: Merrill 'earned his way on the plane' to Korea

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt announced that 20-year-old prospect Jackson Merrill will travel with the team to South Korea for the MLB opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers next week.

"He's earned his way on the plane," Shildt said Tuesday, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. "He's earned what's coming after the plane."

Merrill, who's the No. 2 prospect in the club's minor-league system, has slashed .343/.395/.600 with two homers - including one off Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen on Tuesday - over 12 Cactus League games this spring.

"I think (spring) has gone very well," Merrill said. "I think I've shown a lot of development over the past couple years. But I especially think that this team is ready to go. I think everybody in here is ready to go compete all year."

Merrill will likely become San Diego's youngest Opening Day center fielder in team history despite almost exclusively playing shortstop in the minors.

The Padres selected Merrill with the 27th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.

The Seoul Series takes place on March 20-21.