Whit Merrifield was a ninth round pick in the 2010 draft.
In six seasons in the minor leagues, Merrifield was never part of any top prospect list compiled by Baseball America or Baseball Prospectus.
Nevertheless, Merrifield was called up to the Royals in 2016 and a year later led the American League in stolen bases.
In 2018, no player in all of Major League Baseball had more hits or stolen bases than Merrifield.
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Merrifield’s persistence, hard work and success have made him a fan favorite, and led Royals general manager Dayton Moore to compare him to Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader.