small{font-size:80%;}/*!sc*/ Star player Alex Gordon injured his groin attempting to make a catch in deep left field. .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*/ Earlier this week, Whitfield elaborated on his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which is a requirement to enter Canada. us. Whit Merrifield getting traded to Toronto is easily the funniest thing that could have happened .jDETbc{font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:40px;color:#222222;margin:0;}/*!sc*/ [33] In September 1987, Bill Merrifield was briefly on the active roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates, but was sent to the Florida Instructional League without making an MLB appearance,[34] rendering him a "phantom ballplayer". .HQoYx{border:0;padding:0;text-align:center;}/*!sc*/ 34 in OOTP Baseball is about. .dLQAwR .contributor__text--twitter{font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(1),.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(4){opacity:0;}/*!sc*/ The Blue Jays are bringing the game to opponents doorsteps, and the new guy loves it. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__team{width:100%;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;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield was a Bugatti parked in a trailer park, and the Royals clung ever more desperately to their star the louder the noises rang out that Merrifield was the perfect trade chip. Im excited. @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;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__secondary-logos{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:56px;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;-webkit-flex:99 1 45%;-ms-flex:99 1 45%;flex:99 1 45%;}/*!sc*/ All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. .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*/ 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. Its sad, too. .blUWSx{height:30px;position:relative;width:30px;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield has played for 2 teams; the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays. Gambling problem? .mHQYb .p-search__form{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__list:focus{outline:0;}/*!sc*/ [27], In 2022 he batted .250/.298/.375 in 550 plate appearances, and was the only qualified batter in the major leagues who was not hit by a pitch all year. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content{-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;}}/*!sc*/ .koKsQt{font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 2023 Single-Game Tickets 2023 Season Ticket . [11] His first Major League hit came off of David Price. @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*/ 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. .hHLkAw input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open{position:fixed;top:0px;z-index:99992;}/*!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 .p-search-item{display:block;background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'mlb-primary','Helvetica Neue','Helvetica','Arial', sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ This year, Merrifield is hitting just .236, with a .289 on-base percentage and .342 slugging . No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Its cool to talk about that type of stuff with a guy who really has a passion for it. 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. It was his first long ball since July 8 . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline--no-sponsor{margin-right:0;}/*!sc*/ Royals vs. Maybe you dont empathize with Merrifield. .cwEpxl:hover{background-color:transparent;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield tried to backtrack from his comments on the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, calling them "poorly articulated" prior to the Royals' first game of the second half against the Rays. Players are running whenever possible, and sometimes when it doesnt look possible. Merrifield may not be the player he was in years past, but his .240/.290/.352 batting line with six homers and . .dLQAwR:not(:last-child){border-right:1px dashed #ccc;}/*!sc*/ .groqnz{margin-bottom:32px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__team--logo{height:24px;width:24px;padding:2px 2px 2px 0;margin-right:2px;display:inline-block;}/*!sc*/ Get behind-the-scenes Gamecocks news. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo a{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;}/*!sc*/ .eJdqRG p{margin-top:0;}/*!sc*/ From 2017 to '21, he ranked top five in SB3 each year. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Hes got the green light.\n\nHe played center field and hit eighth in his debut, but Merrifield's position and lineup spot will change most days. .evGxub{display:inline-block;width:48px;height:48px;border-radius:50%;-webkit-border-radius:50%;overflow:hidden;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ Three trade destinations for Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield. He led the league with 16 SB3 in both 2018 and '21, making him one of only nine players in the . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{display:none;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g114[id="sc-bdfBwQ"]{content:"mHQYb,"}/*!sc*/ [23] Merrifield played in a franchise-record 553 consecutive games for the Royals between June 2018 and July 2022. data-styled.g156[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Fieldset-sc-d7sh2p-1"]{content:"HQoYx,"}/*!sc*/ How does the Royals 26-and-under talent rank? He won a Fielding Bible Award for his defensive excellence. Im not going to kick him when hes down, because I do know what Whit Merrifield has meant to our team, the great work that he does in this community and I just think it was a very poor choice of words., Moore later added, Its unfortunate, but we got to try to move on from it. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{display:none;pointer-events:none;}/*!sc*/ .blLcNM .content .share-btn button{font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ KC Royals rookie Whit Merrifield's 86-year-old grandfather has been an inspiration to Royals fans and players. Whit Merrifield is on Instagram at whitmerrifield. It was something that I probably could have handled a little better, Merrifield said, but whats happened has happened. The Mets, Cards, Pirates, Dodgers, and the Cubs were all the rage at one time or another. @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*/ data-styled.g120[id="headlinestyle__HeadlineWrapper-sc-1ccyctx-0"]{content:"jDETbc,hSQYJO,"}/*!sc*/ If he gets off to a good start, hell play a lot. .blUWSx .share-list__item{position:absolute;}/*!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. data-styled.g11[id="buttonstyle__StyledButton-sc-vlv7w5-1"]{content:"hspSPq,"}/*!sc*/ Weve talked about spots that he likes to run in and things he likes to do on the bases. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. 2022 Kansas City Royals Statistics. [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). Whitley, his nickname, is a contact hitter with a great eye, starting his big league career hitting safely in each of his first . To him, his father Bill Merrifield and mother Kissy Merrifield are the main strength for his . Draft: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC). .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-selector--active{background-color:#4c8cee;}/*!sc*/ Next: wHIT Merrifield Helps Royals Revive Walking Dead Offense. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top{height:56px;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-icon__close{width:18px;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g161[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Submit-sc-d7sh2p-6"]{content:"huJzbO,"}/*!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*/ data-styled.g145[id="Styles__StickyHeaderContent-sc-1wye7kw-1"]{content:"jbYgiH,"}/*!sc*/ .kwDmpG{display:block;font-weight:500;}/*!sc*/ Who was in? @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ [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! It fits him perfectly, Schneider said. .dLQAwR .contributor__image{margin-right:8px;}/*!sc*/ Royals Rumblings - News for March 3, 2023. Its been a long thought process. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ Feb. 8Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield made his big-league debut in 2016, but it very nearly came a year earlier. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account{-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;padding:0 0 0 4px;white-space:nowrap;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ window.appId = '' Sometimes, it just comes out wrong. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header__login-menu__link:hover{background-color:#057AFF;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield graduated from Davie County High School in Mocksville, North Carolina. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span{display:block;position:absolute;height:2px;width:24px;background:#ffffff;opacity:1;-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);-ms-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg);-webkit-transition:all 250ms ease-in-out;transition:all 250ms ease-in-out;border-radius:3px;}/*!sc*/ Lorenzo Cain got four hits Tues night in Minnesota which followed Salvador Perezsfive hit game Monday. Merrifield's sixth-inning blast provided the Royals' margin of victory. @media (min-width:375px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__team--shortname{display:none;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__team--name{display:inline-block;}}/*!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*/ \n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550},"type":"oembed"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Under Schneider, that energy has taken the form of extreme aggression on the bases. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner::after{display:inline-block;}/*!sc*/ Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item:focus a{outline:1px dotted #fff;}/*!sc*/ Soon after joining his new club prior to Thursday's 9-3 win against the Twins, Merrifield said that he has received the COVID-19 vaccine . .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;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!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;}/*!sc*/ KANSAS CITY, Mo. data-styled.g100[id="styles__SearchWidgetContainer-sc-1vorjk3-0"]{content:"fYCiRB,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ And even when he was called up for good in 2017, the Royals didnt see him as a core piece. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. Hes going to fit right in. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ In 69 games for Omaha he batted .266 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs, and in 81 games for Kansas City he compiled a .283 batting average with two home runs, 29 RBIs, and 22 doubles. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. .hHLkAw input:-ms-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ On Thursday, Heyman also reported that the Yankees who currently lead the AL East are unlikely to continue their pursuit of Merrifields teammate, Andrew Benintendi, due to his vaccination status. [hidden]{display:none;}/*!sc*/ We've received your submission. Real scary stuff. But not Merrifield, who admitted in later interviews that such a disappointment dragged on his psyche and impacted his game, which faltered in the rest of 2015 as he tried to do impossible: prove to a team that did not value him that he was the guy that he knew himself to be. But as we sit here right now, Im comfortable in my decision, my teammates support me, support the rest of the guys in here who have made that decision, and thats that.. progress{vertical-align:baseline;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-moz-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ High School: Davie County HS (Mocksville, NC), School: University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC), Debut: .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*/ Alex Rios and Omar Infante, despite every evidence to the contrary. .cHcHkC{font-size:1.2rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0;max-height:48px;overflow:hidden;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;width:100%;-webkit-line-clamp:2;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;}/*!sc*/ 1 talking about this. And Espinals bat cooled off at the end of the season. data-styled.g140[id="sharestyle__Label-sc-9nfkvu-0"]{content:"ezZJVn,"}/*!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.g29[id="linkstyle__AnchorElement-sc-1rt6me7-0"]{content:"kKeedG,"}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){article > header{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu__link:hover{background-color:#e2e2e2;color:#002867;border-radius:3px;}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield hypocrisy on display in Toronto Blue Jays trade. Whits father Bill Merrifield, hit a measly .400 at Wake Forest during his college career. @media (min-width:768px){.cHcHkC{font-size:1.44rem;max-height:32px;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap;display:block;-webkit-line-clamp:none;-webkit-box-orient:inline-axis;}.cHcHkC::before,.cHcHkC::after{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ Baltimore, Boston, and Seattle. data-styled.g115[id="sc-global-cDsONp1"]{content:"sc-global-cDsONp1,"}/*!sc*/ .ggWmAj .sticky-header__header{grid-column:1 / span 8;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button-menu{-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq:hover{cursor:pointer;background-color:#0462CC;}/*!sc*/ Kansas City had the best team again though. .drUhS path{fill:#000000;}/*!sc*/ .ebrWqN:-moz-loading{color:#f3f3f3;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield is unique in that, to his careers detriment, he has firmly been on both sides of that line. Likely it will be a combination of all those things. Team: Toronto Blue Jays (majors) Born: January 24, 1989 in Florence, SC us Draft: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC).. High School: Davie County HS (Mocksville, NC) .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team.p-search-item--es:first-of-type:before{content:'Equipos';}/*!sc*/ Whit Bird, Two-hit Whit are nicknames for Whit Merrifield. .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*/