Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Whit Merrifield

Discover the career path of Whit Merrifield, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Whitley David "Whit" Merrifield is a professional baseball utility player currently a free agent. He has played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Notably, Merrifield is a three-time All-Star and has led the American League in stolen bases on three occasions, establishing himself as a prominent and versatile player in the league.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2008: Plays for Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

In 2008, Whit Merrifield played collegiate summer baseball for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2009: Plays for Chatham Anglers

In 2009, Whit Merrifield returned to the Cape Cod Baseball League to play with the Chatham Anglers.

2010: Gamecocks Champion

In 2010, Merrifield secures the championship for South Carolina with a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning at the College World Series. He also set a Gamecocks record with a 26-game hitting streak in 2010.

2010: Drafted by Kansas City Royals

In 2010, the Kansas City Royals selected Merrifield in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with the team, making his professional debut with the Burlington Bees that season.

2011: Plays for Wilmington Blue Rocks

In 2011, Merrifield played for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, batting .262 with five home runs and 36 RBIs.

2012: Plays for Wilmington and Northwest Arkansas

In 2012, Merrifield played for both the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, compiling a .258 batting average with nine home runs and 44 RBIs in 125 games between both teams.

2013: Plays for Northwest Arkansas Naturals

In 2013, Merrifield played for Northwest Arkansas, batting .270/.319/.391 with three home runs and 43 RBIs in 94 games.

2014: Promoted to Omaha Storm Chasers

In 2014, Merrifield started the season with Northwest Arkansas and was later promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers, slashing .319/.371/.470 with eight home runs and 49 RBIs in 120 games between the two clubs.

2015: Plays for Omaha Storm Chasers

In 2015, Merrifield played for Omaha, posting a .265 batting average with five home runs and 38 RBIs in 135 games.

May 18, 2016: Major League Debut

On May 18, 2016, Merrifield made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals, batting in the top third of the lineup and taking the starting second baseman job.

2016: Returns to Omaha

In 2016, Merrifield returned to Omaha to start the season.

2017: Recalled to Kansas City

Merrifield began the 2017 season with Omaha but was recalled to Kansas City in April and spent the remainder of the season with the Royals, hitting .288 with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs. He also led the American League with 34 stolen bases in 2017.

June 2018: Consecutive Games Streak Begins

In June 2018, Merrifield began a franchise-record 553 consecutive games played for the Royals.

September 10, 2018: Selected for MLB Japan All-Star Series

On September 10, 2018, Merrifield was selected by the MLB All-Stars for the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.

2018: Leads Majors in Hits and Stolen Bases

In 2018, Merrifield led the majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45), hitting .304/.367/.438.

2019: Leads Major Leagues in Multiple Categories

In 2019, Merrifield 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). He batted .302/.348/.463.

2020: Plays in COVID-Shortened Season

In 2020, during the COVID-shortened season, Merrifield batted .282 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 60 games for the Kansas City Royals.

2021: Ties for MLB Lead in Doubles and Sacrifice Flies

In 2021, Merrifield hit .277/.317/.395 with 10 home runs and 74 RBIs. He tied for the MLB lead with 42 doubles and led the American League with 40 steals. He also tied for the major league lead in sacrifice flies, with 12. Won a Fielding Bible Award for his defensive excellence.

July 2022: Consecutive Games Streak Ends

In July 2022, Merrifield's franchise-record 553 consecutive games streak for the Royals came to an end.

August 2, 2022: Traded to Toronto Blue Jays

On August 2, 2022, Merrifield was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Max Castillo and Samad Taylor.

2022: 2022 Season Statistics

In 2022, Merrifield 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.