October Boys

Congratulations to the 2024 MLBoyfriends who have made it to the postseason!

Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

Joey Cantillo, Cleveland Guardians

Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres

Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians

Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

Ranger Suárez, Philadelphia Phillies

Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies

Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

Jackson Merrill

Can anyone explain to me why three of the youngest MLB players are all named Jackson? Sure, it seems like a very early-2000's boys' name. However, it was only the 30th most popular in 2003 when Jackson Merrill and Jackson Holliday were born. It did move up in 2004 when Jackson Chourio was born--but only to 23rd.

For what ever reason, that name must have magical baseball powers. The three rookie Jacksons were literally slugging it out for my attention last week.

As good as Holliday and Chourio were, I had to give it to Jackson Merrill who had a monster week at the plate last week.

Merrill went 10 for 24 for a .417, but it was the extra-base hits that really set him apart. He had 1 double, 1 triple and 4 home runs giving him a slugging percentage of 1.042--that's really, really big. Oh, along the way, he scored 9 runs, batted in 8 and stole base twice. He definitely earned the National League Player of the Week Award he was given today.

Congratulations, Jackson Merrill! You are my MLBoyfriend of the week.