Padres' Jackson Merrill Apologizes to Tigers' Kevin McGonigle for Robbing His First Career Home Run

The two young stars exchanged friendly words after Merrill made a spectacular catch to deny McGonigle's first MLB homer.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:34pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a baseball player leaping above the outfield wall to make a spectacular catch, breaking the scene down into fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes to capture the raw energy and drama of the moment.Two rising young stars engage in a thrilling duel, with Padres outfielder Merrill denying Tigers rookie McGonigle's first MLB homer.San Diego Today

In a matchup between two of baseball's top young talents, Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle got off to a scorching start to his MLB career, going 5-for-8 with 4 RBIs in his first two games. However, in the second inning of Friday's game, San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill robbed McGonigle of his first career home run with a spectacular leaping catch at the wall. Merrill felt compelled to apologize to McGonigle after the game, and the two exchanged friendly words at second base when Merrill later doubled.

Why it matters

The early-season matchup between the Padres and Tigers featured an exciting duel between two of the game's brightest young stars. While Merrill's catch denied McGonigle his first MLB homer, the exchange between the two players demonstrated good sportsmanship and a mutual respect that is often on display in the early stages of a player's career.

The details

In the top of the second inning, McGonigle crushed a ball to deep center field that Merrill tracked and leaped above the wall to catch, robbing the Tigers rookie of his first career home run. After the game, Merrill apologized to McGonigle, saying 'Sorry to Kev. I understand first homers are sick. But I gotta protect my boy [Michael King].' In the bottom half of the inning, Merrill hit a double and the two players exchanged friendly words at second base, with McGonigle joking 'Come on, at least let the first one go out.' Despite the catch, McGonigle got the last laugh, putting the Tigers ahead with a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning of Detroit's 5-2 win.

  • On Friday, March 28, 2026, in the top of the second inning.
  • In the bottom half of the second inning on March 28, 2026.

The players

Jackson Merrill

A center fielder for the San Diego Padres who is looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2025 season. He made a spectacular leaping catch to rob Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle of his first career home run.

Kevin McGonigle

A rookie shortstop for the Detroit Tigers who has gotten off to a scorching start to his MLB career, going 5-for-8 with 4 RBIs in his first two games.

Michael King

The Padres starting pitcher on Friday who did not allow an earned run, with Merrill's catch helping to preserve King's strong outing.

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What they’re saying

“Sorry to Kev. I understand first homers are sick. But I gotta protect my boy [Michael King].”

— Jackson Merrill

“We were joking about it out there. I looked over, and he said, 'My bad, my bad.' I said, 'Come on, at least let the first one go out.' But that was an unbelievable catch. [He's a] great player.”

— Kevin McGonigle

What’s next

The two young stars will look to continue their strong starts to the season as the Tigers and Padres continue their series this weekend.

The takeaway

The exchange between Merrill and McGonigle demonstrated the mutual respect and sportsmanship that is often on display between rising young stars in baseball, even when one player robs the other of a milestone moment like a first career home run.