Whit Merrifield retires after twice leading MLB in hits over his 9 seasons
Whit Merrifield is retiring after a nine-season career that included twice leading the MLB in hits and three trips to the All-Star Game.
The 36-year-old posted on social media that the birth of his daughter last year played a role in the decision. Merrifield, a utilityman whose career began with Kansas City, was granted free agency after finishing last season with Atlanta. He didn't play in 2025.
'At this point in my life, I'd much rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders,' wrote Merrifield, who had 192 hits for the Royals in 2018 and led the majors again a year later with 206.
Merrifield played his last game with the Braves on Sept. 30, 2024, when they had to play a Monday doubleheader against the New York Mets to settle the National League wild-card race. Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had rained out both games in Atlanta a week earlier.
The Mets clinched a wild card with a victory in Game 1, which Merrifield played. He sat for the second game, which the Braves won to move on to the postseason as well.
Merrifield was a ninth-round pick by Kansas City in the 2010 amateur draft and made his debut with the Royals six years later, the season after the club won its first World Series in 30 years.
Merrifield played in every game from 2019-21, which included the 2020 season shortened to 60 games by the pandemic.
The Royals didn't make the playoffs in any of Merrifield's six full seasons, and he was traded to Toronto in 2022. He went to the postseason twice with the Blue Jays, but wasn't a regular in the lineup.
Merrifield led the majors in stolen bases three times, including a career-high 45 in 2018. He hit .280 with 94 homers, 485 RBIs, 29 triples and 218 steals in 1,147 games.
The last All-Star trip for Merrifield came in 2023 with Toronto, and he signed as a free agent with Philadelphia that next offseason. The Phillies released Merrifield last July, and the South Carolina native signed with the Braves.
___
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rivals Five-Star: Five committed prospects on flip watch
INDIANAPOLIS - The Rivals Five-Star has wrapped up but after talking to numerous players and getting a sense on a lot of recruitments, here are five players who could be on flip watch as June wraps up: Advertisement MORE FROM INDY: Highlights and analysis | Teams that should be pleased | Gorney Awards | Biggest surprises RECRUITING INTEL: Mid-South | Florida | West | Southeast | Midwest RIVALS FIVE-STAR MEDIA DAY: All the news, notes and interviews | The All-Lobby Team | How solid are the commitments? | Roster RIVALS FIVE-STAR INTERVIEWS: Jaden O'Neal | Trae Taylor | Chase Calicut | Samu Moala | Jake Kreul | Felix Ojo | Peyton Houston | CJ Sadler | Richard Wesley | JaReylan McCoy | Carter Scruggs | Nolan Wilson | Carson Sneed | Derrek Cooper | Devin Carter | Jayden Wade | Joel Wyatt | Kaden Henderson | Nick Abrams It would be a massive surprise if Brown backs off his Ohio State pledge for so many reasons. The 2027 five-star receiver is from Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne. He loves position coach Brian Hartline. Brown loves how the Buckeyes have developed so many receivers and have such a great history at the position. Advertisement But Tennessee is sending mail to Brown every day and the coaching staff is working hard to not only stay involved in his recruitment but to flip him at some point as well. Others will make a move because Brown is so talented but if Hartline stays in Columbus then Brown probably stays committed. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT As programs work to finalize their quarterback situation, there are a lot of moving parts and Cherry is being contacted by some big guns. The four-star quarterback from Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School has been committed to Louisville since January but when LSU missed on Bowe Bentley, the Tigers reached out and gauged interest with Cherry. Auburn has also been in the mix as the Tigers figure out the situation with Landon Duckworth (who has Auburn and South Carolina as his two favorites) so Cherry could have some options moving forward and the word is he's listening. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LOUISVILLE FANS AT The four-star cornerback from Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin has been committed to Michigan since last July but Jennings has been taking visits and seeing what else is out there especially through June. The word coming out of Rivals Five-Star is that Miami would be the biggest threat to flip Jennings if he's looking to stay closer to home. Even through all his visits, Jennings hasn't backed off his pledge yet and while Florida, Georgia and others could be in the mix, the Hurricanes would be the one to watch. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT It's no secret that while Sneed has stayed committed to Tennessee, the four-star tight end from Nashville (Tenn.) Donelson Christian Academy has heavily considered other programs. Advertisement Ole Miss and North Carolina will be two to monitor but the biggest threat to the Volunteers would be Florida. Sneed loved his visit to Gainesville and the plan coach Billy Napier laid out for the four-star tight end as there's some concern that Tennessee doesn't throw to its tight ends enough. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT Tofi committed to Cal in early June and it was a big win for the Golden Bears since Oregon was the biggest threat throughout his recruitment. There are reasons to believe the four-star offensive tackle from San Francisco (Calif.) Riordan sticks with Cal as well since he loves the Polynesian culture on the coaching staff and his brother plays in Berkeley, too. Advertisement But only a couple weeks after his pledge to Cal, Tofi took a visit to Oregon as the Ducks have not backed down. He also showed up to Rivals Five-Star wearing an Oregon t-shirt and said over the next few weeks he plans to make a final decision in his recruitment so the Ducks are clearly a threat. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CAL FANS AT
Newsweek
31 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Dodgers' Dave Roberts Mum on Shohei Ohtani Home Run Derby Plans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers are working to build two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani back up into a starting pitcher. And in the meantime, he just keeps on slugging. Ohtani has now opened two games for the Dodgers and could see his next start come on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. Ohtani has provided a critical bat at the top of the Dodgers' order and there was some concern that adding a pitching workload might hurt his offensive production. But so far, he's put those concerns to rest. Since returning to the mound, Ohtani has 10 RBI, two homers and four walks in just eight games. At this point, there's very little that Ohtani can do to build on his legacy as the most exciting player in all of baseball. And as he leads all National League players in votes for the All-Star Game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if he might return to the Home Run Derby in hopes of winning it for the first time. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 18: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to a walk off solo home run by Will Smith #16 in the bottom of the ninth inning against the... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 18: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to a walk off solo home run by Will Smith #16 in the bottom of the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) More Wang/Getty "That is a question for Shohei," Roberts responded, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. "I'm staying out of that." Roberts, who will also manage the National League All-Star team, offered more definitive answers on some follow up questions, though. He ruled out the idea of Ohtani pitching in the game and indicated that he would position his superstar as the leadoff hitter. "The fans love him," Roberts added. "He's the best player. It's going to be exciting for the fans to watch him in Atlanta for the All-Star Game." Baseball fans should be happy enough to see Ohtani's bat in the Midsummer Classic. But for a player who can seemingly do it all, it might not be too much to ask that he swings it in the Home Run Derby as well. More MLB: Time For Angels To Let Mike Trout Depart Anaheim?
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Alex Bregman Has 'Next to No Chance' of Being Traded By Red Sox
Alex Bregman Has 'Next to No Chance' of Being Traded By Red Sox originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After the Boston Red Sox traded away Rafael Devers, the availability of other stars on the team came into question. The biggest name that could be moved is third baseman Alex Bregman. Advertisement While there have been rumors and reports about his availability, a new report from Sean McAdam of points towards the All-Star third baseman staying in Boston through the 2025 season. During a segment with Chris Cotillo of for Fenway Rundown on Twitter/X, McAdam said, "I see next to no chance of Alex Bregman being dealt." Bregman would be a hot commodity if he were on the trade block, and would fetch a nice return. But this report from McAdam shuts down the discussions of a Bregman deal. Part of why he became a name to monitor is that he's expected to opt out of his current deal after the 2025 season. Bregman, based on his production before getting hurt, was on pace to have an incredible season, which would've set him up to surpass his previous deal. Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (2) throws to second base against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Bregman signed a three-year deal worth $120 million in the offseason, but now, he's looking to leave after 2025 and secure even more money. With his incredible start to 2025, it might be possible. Advertisement Bregman has 2.9 WAR through 51 games and was on an incredible pace. He had 59 hits, 32 runs scored, 17 doubles, 11 home runs, 35 RBIs, 22 walks, and 42 strikeouts in 197 at-bats. He was batting .299 before the injury, and had an OPS of .938, which would put him in the same range as his All-Star seasons in 2018 and 2019. He's 31 years old and still showcasing incredible offensive upside after years of decent play in Houston. Boston, with their current roster, is planning to contend in 2025. Trading away Bregman wouldn't align with that thought process, and this report from McAdam confirms the Red Sox are planning to contend. If it were strictly about team building and making the best moves, trading Bregman would be the best path forward. But, after this report, it seems unlikely that the Red Sox will trade Bregman at the trade deadline. Advertisement Related: Red Sox Trade Idea Lands Braves' 39 HR Slugger in Exchange for Top International Prospect Related: Red Sox Trade Idea Swaps Gold Glove Winner in Package for Brewers' All-Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
