Austin Jackson- the next big Yankee prospect

[jacksonianmarch]

Austin Jackson is probably the fastest rising prospect in baseball right now. The guy was drafted out of HS in the 8th round of the 2005 draft. He had a scholarship for basketball at GT, so the yankees paid him handsomely to pursue baseball. At first, it looked like the wrong decision. He struggled with his raw tools in 2006 in long season A ball, hitting a paltry .258 with only 4HR. This past season, he started out slow again in long season SAL league baseball, hitting .260 with 3HR in 60 games. The Yankees, even though he was struggling decided to promote him to Tampa, where he took off.

 

In 67 games, he hit .345 with 10HR. His OPS was .964 and he stole a total of 32 bases on the season. Now, he is just tearing up the AFL.

 

He is top 10 in H, HR, 2B, 3B, RBI, TB, OBP and BB. He currently is 7/7 in SB attempts and is OPSing an impressive .960. His only drawback is his penchant for the K.

 

Either way, Callis was quoted earlier this yr as saying Austin Jackson is the fastest rising OF prospect in the game. And there is a darn good chance that his star is rising even farther this fall season. And at only 20 yrs old, he has a lot of projection left to go.

 

In 2008, he will be destined for AA and could see the majors as soon as August this upcoming yr. Either way, he is someone who definitely surprised and could be something special.

[Optimist]

What position does he play?

[CrespoBlows]

I think he's in CF.

[ORS]

Now' date=' he is just tearing up the AFL.[/quote']

http://tapes.ieattapes.com/uploads/Bush_O_RLY.jpg

[rician blast]

Great thread. In other equally fascinating news I'm about to adjust my junk for comfort's sake.

[jacksonianmarch]

3 more hits and 2 triples yesterday.

[BoSox21]

Great thread. In other equally fascinating news I'm about to adjust my junk for comfort's sake.

 

:lol: :lol:

 

I'm sure he's the greatest thing since sliced bread but it's foolish to pay attention to any prospect until he hits AA

[TheKilo]

3 more hits and 2 triples yesterday.

 

Get ready, Cooperstown!

[Thumper]

Get ready' date=' Cooperstown![/quote']

 

No, they're too busy getting ready for Ellsbury.

[YAZMAN]

3 more hits and 2 triples yesterday.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/BoNeato/orly6iw.gif

[jacksonianmarch]

O........M.............G

[das11209]

Get ready' date=' Cooperstown![/quote']

 

 

He might replace Edwar Ramirez.

[ORS]

He's performing really well, too bad he's not in the AFL. He's in the AFL's weaker sister, the HWL.

[jacksonianmarch]

The HWL is for prospects who didnt play in the upper levels if I remember correctly.

 

Either way, Joba and Kennedy dominated the HWL last season, and look where they are now. At the same time, the HWL is considered a pitchers league, so it is more impressive what AJ is doing.

[ORS]

I knew that one was coming, the more impressive bit. It is for A+ and below, while the AFL is for AA and above. That's the dividing line. It's not a pitcher's league. So, perhaps my comment was a bit unfair. Jackson is in the league he should be in, but I wouldn't go streaking down Main St yet. Not for a guy who has mastered A+ and is facing pitchers who haven't yet. The only pitchers to pitch in these leagues are the guys who didn't get their work in over the year or need extra development.

 

All I'm saying is, temper your expectations. Eric Duncan regained 15 minutes of relevance with a strong 2nd half and good AFL performance.

[castigs850]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/BoNeato/orly6iw.gif

 

HAHAHA

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Baseball America named Austin Jackson as the No. 2 prospect in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League.

 

Here is what BA wrote:

 

After having a breakout season during which he hit .304/.370/.476 across three levels of the minors, Jackson reported to Honolulu and never slowed down. A premium athlete, Jackson finally grew into his tools in 2007. A line-drive hitter with gap power, Jackson’s profile is likely as a No. 2 or No. 3 hitter with the ability to drive in runs. He is an above-average defender in center field, getting good reads and jumps on balls while running quality routes. While he doesn’t always get out of the batter’s box quickly, he’s a graceful runner. “Once he gets underway he’s a plus-plus runner,” an NL scout said. “He’s the best athlete in this league. He doesn’t have that first-step explosion, but this guy is a real crowd pleaser on the bases.”

 

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/11/20/austin-jackson-impressive-in-hawaii/

[jacksonianmarch]

Jackson hit a homer and robbed two homers last night.

[26 to 6]

It's gonna be fun watching him progress along the way.

[Gom]

Great thread. In other equally fascinating news I'm about to adjust my junk for comfort's sake.

ROFL!!!

The HWL is for prospects who didnt play in the upper levels if I remember correctly.

 

Either way, Joba and Kennedy dominated the HWL last season, and look where they are now. At the same time, the HWL is considered a pitchers league, so it is more impressive what AJ is doing.

Kennedy? The guy who had a 965.00 ERA?

 

Hope he pans out. I saw him play in spring training, I liked what I saw. Fluid swing, good athlete...let's hope he pans out.

[Mr Crunchy]

why isnt he up with the big boys then?

i see a michael ""prime time"" coleman waiting in the wings here.

[jacksonianmarch]

Because he is about a half season away and they dont want to start his clock.

[Gom]

I hope that's not the case. Better to try him out and see what you have when the games don't mean anything.

[Mr Crunchy]

i would think due to their hoplessness that a prospect like this may excite some people who otherwise are watching the jets or the giants at this time.

the new stadium will require some entertainment to fill and im not sure arod going 3-24 in his last week qualifies..

Is he in AA ball yet?

[jacksonianmarch]

I hear what you are saying. I just think it best to not start his clock until he's ready.

[jacksonianmarch]

i would think due to their hoplessness that a prospect like this may excite some people who otherwise are watching the jets or the giants at this time.

the new stadium will require some entertainment to fill and im not sure arod going 3-24 in his last week qualifies..

Is he in AA ball yet?

 

Jackson was in AA all season long. He'll get a long look in ST, but Cashman publicly stated that Jackson isnt quite ready yet.

[Mr Crunchy]

A vote of no confidence from Cashman could be a ringing endorsement when viewed from the eyes of an outsider who questions his judgement and sanity.

a team with a 220M payroll shouldnt be anchored at pitching by 3 unproven rookies and a couple of hasbeens,1 of which had his best year in 10.

i know wang was out but all that injury did was move chamberlain from the pen,creating another hole and hurting the kids development in the process.

this is how you find yourself in 4th place.

this is why i consider this franchise completely rudderless