He enrolled at the University of South Carolina and played college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 2008 to 2010. Remembering Whit Merrifield, who the Royals mismanaged from the data-styled.g159[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Input-sc-d7sh2p-4"]{content:"kwDmpG,"}/*!sc*/ He is under contract through next season. [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. [10] In 120 games between the two clubs, he slashed .319/.371/.470 with eight home runs and 49 RBIs. .mHQYb .p-search__input--sm{font-size:12px;height:30px;min-width:150px;}/*!sc*/ When I first heard that, I was very disappointed. article > section{font-size:1.2rem;font-family:Georgia,serif;}/*!sc*/ /*-->*/ sub{bottom:-0.25em;}/*!sc*/ Kyle Isbel #28. . Merrifield returned to Northwest Arkansas to start 2014 and was promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers during the season. Merrifield's sixth-inning blast provided the Royals' margin of victory. h5.headlinestyle__HeadlineWrapper-sc-1ccyctx-0{font-weight:normal;}/*!sc*/ But Merrifields story is somewhat tragic because of things completely out of his control. The 34-year-old Rios, on a one-year deal, was hitting .221/.248/.262 on July 8, good for a wRC+ of 36. Merrifield graduated from Davie County High School in Mocksville, North Carolina. Exceeded rookie limits during 2016 season, 2023 Contract Status: .blUWSx{height:30px;position:relative;width:30px;}/*!sc*/ They love to run, so thats right up my alley.. Players are running whenever possible, and sometimes when it doesnt look possible. From top to bottom, its exciting baseball. @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*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .icon,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--mobile-quick-nav{display:inline;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ The Cubs, Tigers, and the White Sox, oh my. Washington and the NY Mets are the best teams anyone has seen in almost 2,000 years. Merrifield was called up again and finished with 1.2 fWAR in only 81 games. data-styled.g20[id="imagestyle__ImageWrapper-sc-xw1tzz-0"]{content:"evGxub,cWQXyp,"}/*!sc*/ 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. .hspSPq{height:32px;padding-left:10px;padding-right:10px;font-size:13px;-webkit-transition:0.2s;transition:0.2s;border-radius:5px;font-weight:bold;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#057AFF;border:none;color:#ffffff;}/*!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__nav-item{display:none;-webkit-flex:1 1 100%;-ms-flex:1 1 100%;flex:1 1 100%;position:relative;text-align:center;}/*!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*/ Watch Cain after a great catch or stolen base. Its sad, too. He won a Fielding Bible Award for his defensive excellence. In 2016, the Royals finally called up Merrifield as a hedge against the continually flailing Infante, who they released shortly thereafter. data-styled.g157[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Title-sc-d7sh2p-2"]{content:"ihHuHi,"}/*!sc*/ Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. It was his first long ball since July 8 . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item{width:100%;-webkit-order:0;-ms-flex-order:0;order:0;background-color:#081c3b;border-bottom:1px solid #002867;}/*!sc*/ Prior to this weeks controversy, The Posts Jon Heyman reported in late June how the Royals are talking more seriously about Merrifield in trade discussions than in the past, according to a rival exec. .jbYgiH{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(12,minmax(0,1fr));grid-gap:24px;margin:0 auto;max-width:967px;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield was only able to cement a spot in 2017 with his own solid play, yes, but without any legitimate talent coming down the pipeline to supplant him. In 2015 it was Toronto, Yankees, Texas, Houston, and the Angels. Who was in? Whit Merrifield, who had the CWS-winning hit in 2010 for South Carolina, had . Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 2-1 win over the White Sox. Cavan Biggio has been a major disappointment while Santiago Espinal has been ice cold after a hot start to the season. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. Hes 34, but hes only one year removed from a 3.6 bWAR season. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#081c3b;}/*!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*/ sup{top:-0.5em;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.groqnz.markdown,.groqnz.photo figcaption,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ 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. .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*/ .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 .p-search-item__image-thumbnail--team{margin:0 auto 0 0.25rem;height:40px;width:45px;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield made $7,000,000.00 last year. data-styled.g145[id="Styles__StickyHeaderContent-sc-1wye7kw-1"]{content:"jbYgiH,"}/*!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*/ 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. data-styled.g101[id="styles__SearchWidgetButton-sc-1vorjk3-1"]{content:"cwEpxl,"}/*!sc*/ Opinion | Whit Merrifield believes he can help the Blue Jays despite [17], In 2018, Merrifield hit .304/.367/.438 and led the majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45). .blUWSx .share-icon__square{width:30px;}/*!sc*/ My grandfather was a Yankees fan because he was born before the Royals existed. 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 input[type='search']::-ms-clear{display:none;width:0;height:0;}/*!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. .drUhS{pointer-events:none;width:100%;height:100%;display:inline-block;overflow:visible;fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ @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*/ Salvador Perez to 3rd. @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;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;position:relative;z-index:99993;padding:0 14px;background-color:#041e42;box-shadow:1px 0 5px #000000;}/*!sc*/ But now that the biggest question of all has been answered, Toronto can exhale and focus on the postseason race ahead. .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon{position:absolute;top:0.75rem;right:1rem;}/*!sc*/ This year, Merrifield is hitting just .236, with a .289 on-base percentage and .342 slugging . Whit Merrifield pens note to Kansas City after trade - WDAF-TV data-styled.g167[id="Styles__StoryPartContainer-sc-1mfrmm0-0"]{content:"groqnz,"}/*!sc*/ Royals vs. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-item[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item__subnav-arrow{opacity:0;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield saw a predictable amount of criticism for acknowledging the 35-53 Royals' lack of competitiveness played a role in a decision that affects his health and the health of those around him. Odds & lines subject to change. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. $10M over 2 . whit merrifield grandfather .mHQYb .p-search{display:block;position:relative;color:#333333;width:inherit;}/*!sc*/ Earlier this week, Whitfield elaborated on his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which is a requirement to enter Canada. .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*/ main{display:block;}/*!sc*/ a{background-color:transparent;}/*!sc*/ .koKsQt{font-weight:600;}/*!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 is on Twitter at WhitMerrifield. 21,128th in major league history) .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline--no-sponsor{margin-right:0;}/*!sc*/ @media screen and (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-club],.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-microsite]{background-image:linear-gradient( #002D72 50%, #041E42 50% );}}/*!sc*/ Whitley, his nickname, is a contact hitter with a great eye, starting his big league career hitting safely in each of his first . 2 All-Star ( 2019, 2021) 3 AL stolen base leader (2017, 2018, 2021) 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). But now that the biggest question of all has been answered, Toronto can exhale and focus on the postseason race ahead. Whit Merrifield has to get vaccinated after trade to Toronto Blue Jays .hHLkAw input.left{padding-left:32px;}/*!sc*/ @media (max-width:350px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ @supports (-moz-appearance:none){.koKsQt .share-button__square,.koKsQt .share-button__email{-webkit-filter:brightness(0%);filter:brightness(0%);}}/*!sc*/ Whit Bird, Two-hit Whit are nicknames for Whit Merrifield. .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon--sm{top:0.5rem;right:0.5rem;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq:hover svg{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Kansas City Royals: 3 trade destinations for Whit Merrifield .fuMUTu path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ MINNEAPOLIS -- The Blue Jays brought in Whit Merrifield's speed and versatility to give their depth a shot in the arm, which will be easier now that he has one in his. After completing his schooling at Davie County High School, he studied at the University of South Carolina. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. Published by on 30 junio, 2022 Merrifield, who made his major league debut with the Royals in 2016, is slated to be a free agent after next year. Merrifield is unique in that, to his careers detriment, he has firmly been on both sides of that line.