A year ago, Jackson Merrill spent the spring learning to play center field.

This year? He’s proficient enough in center to track down fly balls while simultaneously chatting with broadcasters Don Orsillo and Mark Grant -- and doing so as smoothly as ever.

Merrill spent the top of the third inning of the Padres’ 1-0 win over the Reds at Peoria Stadium on Saturday afternoon mic’d up and chatting with Orsillo and Grant. With two outs, amid a conversation about the sleep habits of San Diego’s video coordinators, Reds second baseman Francisco Urbaez laced a liner to center.

Merrill backtracked as Orsillo and Grant urged him on. He settled under the line drive and gloved it with a grin on his face.

“That’s some center-fielding right there,” Orsillo shouted.

“That’s some good TV time right there,” Merrill quipped in return.

Indeed, this spring is a bit different for Merrill. A year ago, he was fighting for a roster spot and a big league breakthrough. He’d also never played an inning of center field at any level.

Clearly, Merrill picked the position up quickly enough. He was excellent in center last year while turning in one of the best rookie seasons in Padres history. He recently told MLB.com he thinks he can be better in Year 2.

"This year, I'm going in, I'm ready to go,” Merrill said. “Last year, I don't even know if I'm on the team. I'm going every day. This year, I'm just focused on the 162 and beyond. I feel more ready.”