.hUHmCp > article .ad-bottom-right-container{margin-top:64px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search{display:block;position:relative;color:#333333;width:inherit;}/*!sc*/ Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. He is owed just $2.75 million in 2022 . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.15);background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ [type="search"]::-webkit-search-decoration{-webkit-appearance:none;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g20[id="imagestyle__ImageWrapper-sc-xw1tzz-0"]{content:"evGxub,cWQXyp,"}/*!sc*/ Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 12:52AM. 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*/ @media (min-width:768px){.epHHrr.youtube iframe{width:500px;}}/*!sc*/ All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. While everyone else basks in their two week awesomeness, the Kansas City Royals are working on important stuff like nicknames. data-styled.g3[id="iconstyle__IconWrapper-sc-12jucjo-0"]{content:"fuMUTu,drUhS,"}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!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*/ @supports (-moz-appearance:none){.koKsQt .share-button__square,.koKsQt .share-button__email{-webkit-filter:brightness(0%);filter:brightness(0%);}}/*!sc*/ If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. In 2011, Merrifield played for the Wilmington Blue Rocks where he batted .262 with five home runs and 36 RBIS. Although Bill Sr. might look like hes driving down the highway at a reasonable speed. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team:first-of-type:before{content:'Teams';}/*!sc*/ .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*/ .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*/ .blUWSx .share-icon__button{background:none;border:none;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ .ihHuHi{font-size:19px;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:8px;}/*!sc*/ We present them here for purely educational purposes. @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*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__team-logo{margin-right:15px;max-height:25px;width:25px;}/*!sc*/ After barely losing in the final game of the 2014 World Series, the 2015 Kansas . us. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__subnav{height:100%;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:auto;overscroll-behavior:contain;touch-action:manipulation;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;}/*!sc*/ About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. data-styled.g120[id="headlinestyle__HeadlineWrapper-sc-1ccyctx-0"]{content:"jDETbc,hSQYJO,"}/*!sc*/ Royals Rumblings - News for March 3, 2023. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container{-webkit-order:99;-ms-flex-order:99;order:99;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:99 1 100%;-ms-flex:99 1 100%;flex:99 1 100%;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ Likely it will be a combination of all those things. .cwEpxl{height:100%;width:100%;border:transparent;background:none;cursor:pointer;-webkit-transition:0.2s;transition:0.2s;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ He was optioned back to Omaha in July and recalled in September. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item .icon__nav-item{margin-right:8px;width:18px;height:14px;float:left;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;}/*!sc*/ window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbcom08","linkInternalFilters":"mlb"} KC Royals rookie Whit Merrifield's 86-year-old grandfather has been an inspiration to Royals fans and players. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--mobile-quick-nav .header__nav-top__nav-item--inner{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;height:100%;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.sczZi{margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}}/*!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*/ .groqnz.markdown.youtube,.groqnz.photo figcaption.youtube,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed.youtube{padding:0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav ::-webkit-scrollbar{width:0px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__team--name{display:none;}/*!sc*/ template{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. .mHQYb .p-search-item{display:block;background-color:#ffffff;font-family:'mlb-primary','Helvetica Neue','Helvetica','Arial', sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-selector{width:3px;height:100%;}/*!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*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .account--logged-in.active::after{background:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ .eJdqRG a{color:#057AFF;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ But things improved. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__subnav--transparent{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.7);width:calc(100vw - 145px);}/*!sc*/ I hope Merrifield gets to experience playoffs with the Blue Jays. .ggWmAj{background:#ffffff;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);max-height:64px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 16px;position:fixed;top:0;width:100%;z-index:2;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline img{max-width:100%;}/*!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. @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*/ To him, his father Bill Merrifield and mother Kissy Merrifield are the main strength for his . The Blue Jays are bringing the game to opponents doorsteps, and the new guy loves it.\n\nI love running, Merrifield said, grinning. [22] On defense, he led all major league second basemen with 283 putouts, 103 double plays and a 4.77 range factor. (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 . .hspSPq svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .iQELft{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon--sm{top:0.5rem;right:0.5rem;}/*!sc*/ Cheslor Cuthbert could. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Versho could have some days off against tough lefties. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player:before{border-top:1px solid #ddd;content:'Players';left:10px;right:10px;}/*!sc*/ 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.. Merrifield was called up again and finished with 1.2 fWAR in only 81 games. @media (min-width:768px){.epHHrr{max-width:500px;}}/*!sc*/ Maybe you dont empathize with Merrifield. Merrifield's father, Bill, played college baseball for Wake Forest University, and spent six seasons in Minor League Baseball, primarily as a third baseman. Whit will make $6.75 million and has a mutual option worth $18 million next year, with a $500,000 buyout. 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). 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. @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo img{min-height:40px;max-height:40px;}}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g118[id="sc-global-iSmFBW1"]{content:"sc-global-iSmFBW1,"}/*!sc*/ As I begin to communicate with Whit about that, he made it very clear he was sorry for how that came out, Moore continued. .groqnz{margin-bottom:32px;}/*!sc*/ .kKeedG:hover{border-bottom:none;color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ We've received your submission. .dLQAwR a{color:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ Andrew Benintendi to 3rd. Updated: Aug 3, 2022 / 07:56 PM CDT. Pretty disgusted, truthfully, Moore said. Whit Merrifield getting traded to Toronto is easily the funniest thing that could have happened For a couple of weeks now, Ive understood that this might be a possibility. (92-70, 2nd place in AL East). .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon{background:none;padding:0px;width:24px;height:18px;position:relative;margin:0px auto;-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);-ms-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg);-webkit-transition:0.5s ease-in-out;transition:0.5s ease-in-out;cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{padding:0 16px;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav{text-align:left;background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ From 2017 to '21, he ranked top five in SB3 each year. Shortly thereafter, Merrifield, playing in Omaha for the Triple-A Stormchasers, was yanked out of the game for no apparent reason. @media (min-width:768px){.ggWmAj{max-height:60px;padding:16px 32px 16px 24px;}}/*!sc*/ .ebrWqN:-moz-loading{color:#f3f3f3;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo a{-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;}/*!sc*/ Steamer doesnt think hell be great. Whits father Bill Merrifield, hit a measly .400 at Wake Forest during his college career. [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. And with two black holes in the lineup, plus Gordons months-long injury recovery, Merrifield couldnt crack the lineup. [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. data-styled.g163[id="Styles__OEmbedContainer-oapuup-0"]{content:"epHHrr,"}/*!sc*/ Canada does not allow unvaccinated people into the country, which has prevented dozens of . Its cool to talk about that type of stuff with a guy who really has a passion for it. In his last 18 games of the season, he hit .400/.424/.709 with 4 home runs. 1 talking about this. 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__logo{-webkit-flex:0 1 auto;-ms-flex:0 1 auto;flex:0 1 auto;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;text-align:left;height:56px;padding:0 16px 0 0;}/*!sc*/ He won a Fielding Bible Award for his defensive excellence. The Whit Merrifield story begins on July 8, 2015. After hitting .252/.295/.337 with a 74 wRC+ in 2014, Infante somehow managed to put up a sub-.250 OBP en route to a 43 wRC+ in 285 plate appearances on July 8. Whit Bird, Two-hit Whit are nicknames for Whit Merrifield. Free Agent: 2024, More Whit Merrifield Pages at Baseball Reference, 2022 Blue Jays .epHHrr{text-align:center;max-width:100%;margin:0 auto;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top [class$='__nav-item__text']{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ [11] His first Major League hit came off of David Price. Grading the 2022 KC Royals: Pitcher Carlos Hernandez. I really didnt understand the trade at the time. Earlier this week, Whitfield elaborated on his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which is a requirement to enter Canada. The Royals' Whit Merrifield told reporters he was "truly sorry" for comments he made about COVID-19 vaccines as Kansas City kicked off the second half of its season. LoCain, Purple Cain, etc. .hHLkAw input:-ms-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ .blLcNM{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(12,1fr);grid-gap:24px;font-size:1rem;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ Scouting Director: Danny Ontiveros. .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu--open{display:block;left:auto;opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g147[id="Styles__MarkdownContainer-dxqlie-0"]{content:"eJdqRG,"}/*!sc*/ Do you have a sports website? All the skills he would show in the big leagues were there: low strikeout rate, high contact rate, doubles power, and deadly speed. 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. From top to bottom, its exciting baseball. Whit Merrifield is a Second Baseman and Outfielder. Menu .evwvnJ{line-height:1.5;margin:0 auto 16px;max-width:470px;padding-left:0;position:relative;width:-webkit-fit-content;width:-moz-fit-content;width:fit-content;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top{height:56px;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-decoration,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-cancel-button,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-results-button,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-results-decoration{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .hSQYJO{font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:35px;color:#222222;margin:0;}/*!sc*/ Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. .mHQYb .p-search__list:focus{outline:0;}/*!sc*/ Gambling problem? data-styled.g142[id="Share-sc-1t9fdg-0"]{content:"koKsQt,"}/*!sc*/ Im excited to be part of this team., New Kids on the Block pic.twitter.com/rBuQY55Sus. .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*/ All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 26 games in he hit a big .182/239/227. 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. .ggWmAj .sticky-header__share button{font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams{padding:8px;}/*!sc*/ Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? @media (max-width:350px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ [28], On September 10, 2018, he was selected by the MLB All-Stars at 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series. Data Provided By .hUHmCp{margin-top:24px;background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ @media screen and (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item:hover{background-color:#057AFF;}}/*!sc*/ Merrifield was ready for the big leagues in 2014, when he hit .340/.373/.474 in Triple-A as a 25-year-old. [17], In 2018, Merrifield hit .304/.367/.438 and led the majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45). @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;}/*!sc*/ .blLcNM .content .share-btn{-webkit-align-self:flex-end;-ms-flex-item-align:end;align-self:flex-end;margin-left:auto;min-width:32px;position:relative;top:-16px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon{position:absolute;top:0.75rem;right:1rem;}/*!sc*/ code,kbd,samp{font-family:monospace,monospace;font-size:1em;}/*!sc*/ Moore also revealed that Merrifield expressed remorse in the aftermath. .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*/ When Merrifield was traded, one of the first texts to pop up on his phone was from Zack Greinke. Whit came to us in trade from the Royals on August 2nd last year for Samad Taylor and Max Castillo. 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. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player.p-search-item--es:before{content:'Jugadores';}/*!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*/ .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*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo img,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo a{height:56px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team.p-search-item--es:first-of-type:before{content:'Equipos';}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__container{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:50px;border-top:0;min-width:250px;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!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. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account--logged-in.active::after{opacity:1;}/*!sc*/