NEWSLETTER
Another day, another rankings accolade for the Chicago Cubs’ top prospect, outfielder Brett Jackson. He’s been ranked among the top 50 prospects in baseball.
Jackson’s ability was recognized on MLB.com’s 2011 Top 50 Prospects list, announced on Tuesday night, at No. 46. Jackson checked in one spot ahead of pitcher Chris Archer, who was sent by the Cubs to the Rays as part of the recent Matt Garza trade.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder was the Cubs’ top pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft and the 31st selection overall. Jackson played three years collegiately at Cal, before making his way through three stops in the Cubs’ Minor League system during that first year with the organization.
In 2010, Jackson suited up for Class A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee, posting a combined 12 home runs and 66 RBIs. The fleet-footed left-handed hitter also knocked out 32 doubles and 14 triples, while producing a .298 average. Jackson looks to be a leadoff man of the future for the Cubs, supported by his 103 runs scored and 30 stolen bases amassed over 128 games in 2010. cubs.com.
While the ranking is welcomed, it actually strikes me as lower than what I would have expected. As the top prospect in a top 15 system, you’d expect to see Jackson in at least the top half of the top 50 – but, it’s all academic at this point. He’ll have an opportunity to prove it on the field in 2011, and could even end the year as a non-prospect (that is to say, as a member of the Major League team).
And in case you were wondering, Chris Archer – the Cubs’ former top pitching prospect who was traded to the Rays in the Matt Garza deal – comes in one spot behind Jackson, at 47.
