Former South Carolina baseball star has huge five-hit game for Atlanta Braves

South Carolina baseball alum Whit Merrifield was an All-Star in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays, but he struggled down the stretch and carried over his difficulties at the plate into this season with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies released the former Gamecock just before the All-Star break this summer, but he quickly caught on with the Atlanta Braves, and the move reignited something within Merrifield. The utilityman has gotten most of his work at second base while Ozzie Albies has been out with an injury, and he has rewarded his new team for his consistent playing time with excellent play.

The hot streak continued for Merrifield on Monday as he knocked five base hits in a 10-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins. With 4 singles and 1 double, Merrifield also scored 2 runs, both coming in the opening pair of frames. The performance was the second time in which he had managed 5 hits in a single contest.

Since coming to the Braves, Whit Merrifield has reached base 41 times via hit or walk in just 26 games, a stark contrast to reaching base just 45 times in 53 games with the Phillies. With Philadelphia, his batting average was below the dreaded Mendoza line as he hit a meager .199. With Atlanta, he is hitting .313 and has an on-base percentage of .427.

Since finding his new team, Merrifield's OPS and BB/K numbers are better than any other season of his career, including his three years as an American League All-Star with the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays.

Once cast off by an NL East World Series contender, Whit Merrifield will be a key piece down the stretch for another NL East World Series contender. He will have another chance for revenge against the Phillies later this week as the Braves begin a 4-game series against their rivals on Thursday.