History of Whit Merrifield in Timeline
Whitley David Merrifield is an American professional baseball player. He is currently a free agent, having previously played for the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Philadelphia Phillies. A three-time All-Star and three-time American League stolen base leader, Merrifield primarily plays second base and outfield.
1962: Luis Aparicio's Stolen Base Record
In 1962, Luis Aparicio led the American League with 31 stolen bases, a record that stood for several years.
September 1987: Bill Merrifield's Time with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Bill Merrifield, Whit's father, was briefly on the active roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates in September 1987 but was sent to the minor leagues without making an MLB appearance.
January 24, 1989: Birth of Whit Merrifield
Whitley David Merrifield was born on January 24, 1989.
2008: Merrifield's College Years and Summer League Baseball
In 2008, Whit Merrifield began playing college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks and played summer baseball for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
2009: Merrifield's Summer League Baseball with Chatham Anglers
Whit Merrifield returned to the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2009 to play for the Chatham Anglers.
2010: Merrifield's College World Series Victory and Hitting Streak Record
In 2010, Whit Merrifield hit a game-winning RBI single in the College World Series, leading South Carolina to victory. He also set a Gamecocks record with a 26-game hitting streak.
2010: Merrifield Drafted by the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals selected Whit Merrifield in the ninth round of the 2010 MLB draft, marking the start of his professional baseball career.
2011: Merrifield's Continued Journey in the Minor Leagues
Whit Merrifield played for the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2011, further developing his skills in the minor leagues.
2012: Merrifield's Time with Wilmington and Northwest Arkansas
In 2012, Whit Merrifield played for both the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
2013: Merrifield's Performance with Northwest Arkansas
Whit Merrifield played for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2013.
2014: Merrifield's Promotion to Omaha Storm Chasers
Whit Merrifield started 2014 with Northwest Arkansas and was later promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers.
2015: Merrifield's Season with Omaha
Whit Merrifield spent the 2015 season playing for the Omaha Storm Chasers.
May 18, 2016: Merrifield's MLB Debut with the Kansas City Royals
Whit Merrifield made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on May 18, 2016.
July 2016: "Cool Whit" Tribute and Optioned to Omaha
In July 2016, a song and video tribute to Merrifield titled "Cool Whit" gained popularity. He was optioned back to Omaha but recalled in September.
2016: Merrifield's Return to Omaha
Whit Merrifield began the 2016 season with the Omaha Storm Chasers.
2017: Merrifield's Breakout Season and AL Stolen Base Lead
In 2017, Whit Merrifield had a breakout season, leading the American League with 34 stolen bases, the fewest total for a league leader since Luis Aparicio's 31 in 1962.
June 2018: Beginning of Merrifield's Consecutive Games Streak
Whit Merrifield's impressive consecutive games played streak with the Royals began in June 2018.
2018: Merrifield Leads MLB in Hits and Stolen Bases
Whit Merrifield continued his impressive performance in 2018, leading the major leagues in hits (192) and stolen bases (45).
December 28, 2019: Merrifield's Marriage to Jordan Michael
Whit Merrifield married Jordan Michael on December 28, 2019.
2019: Merrifield's Dominance in Multiple Offensive Categories
In 2019, Whit Merrifield led the major leagues in games played, at-bats, singles, triples, and line drive percentage, showcasing his exceptional batting skills.
2020: Merrifield's Performance with the Royals
Whit Merrifield played for the Kansas City Royals in 2020.
2021: Merrifield's All-Around Performance and Fielding Award
In 2021, Whit Merrifield showcased his all-around skills, tying for the MLB lead in doubles and leading the AL in stolen bases. He also won a Fielding Bible Award for his defensive excellence.
July 2022: End of Merrifield's Consecutive Games Streak
Whit Merrifield's consecutive games played streak with the Royals ended in July 2022.
August 2, 2022: Merrifield Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays
Whit Merrifield was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on August 2, 2022.
August 4, 2022: Merrifield's Vaccination Announcement
Whit Merrifield announced on August 4, 2022, that he had received the COVID-19 vaccine, allowing him to play in Toronto.
2022: Merrifield's Unique Hit-by-Pitch Statistic
In 2022, Whit Merrifield became the only qualified batter in the major leagues not to be hit by a pitch throughout the entire year.
2023: Merrifield Becomes a Free Agent
Whit Merrifield became a free agent after the 2023 season.
February 19, 2024: Merrifield Signs with the Philadelphia Phillies
Whit Merrifield signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 19, 2024.
July 12, 2024: Merrifield Released by the Phillies
Whit Merrifield was released by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 12, 2024.
