NEWSLETTER
Formerly the best prospect in the system, Brett Jackson‘s inability to lower his nightmarish strikeout rate turned his career into a running punch line among Cubs fans, and an endless source of “prospects always fail” arguments for minor league critics. Somewhere along the way he also lost his trademark power and patience, and with them any place on even the deepest of Top Prospects lists. It looked like it was only a matter of time before the Cubs axed him from the 40 man roster.
Note the past tense. I’m no longer sure that Brett Jackson’s career is dead yet. I now suspect there is a chance, perhaps only a small one, that he could have a future in Wrigley.
To be clear, I think if he has a major league future, the best case scenario is that he plays well enough generally to hold down a fourth or fifth outfielder job despite the jaw droppingly huge strikeout rates. Because, at this stage, those are part of the package. Jackson will probably strike out forty percent of the time in the majors, and as a result he will probably never survive as a regular.
But if there is a scenario in which a guy with that big of a flaw can still carve out a niche for himself, Jackson might just be living in it. The player would have to get on base at a good clip (.345 OBP against right handers this season, .365 total in July (sample size alert)), provide above average power (.543 SLG in July), have enough speed to be a weapon on the basepaths (four triples, four steals in nine chances (ok, so that’s not great)), and would have to be an asset defensively (Jackson has an excellent corner outfield glove, and can hold his own in center).
All that is nice. The main reason I think Jackson has a chance to return to Chicago, though, is that he would provide a very useful left handed bat off the bench in support of an outfield that is rather right handed, and that appears likely to stay right handed into the near future.
If he can produce enough to outweigh the strikeouts. And if his July resurgence is for real and not just a hot streak. And if he can thrive in a role as a bench player. And if the Cubs don’t decide to stick with what they have on the outfield bench and call it a day.
The odds are not in his favor, but a Brett Jackson career revival is now something I think could happen. I’d go so far as to say that the Cubs should bring him up in September for another look before making any final decisions about his roster slot.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – The Iowa offense was as potent as advertised in this 11-2 win.
Tennessee – Tennessee never trailed in this 4-2 win.
Daytona – Daytona was rained out.
Kane County – This game was a back and forth affair, but Kane County won it 5-3.
Boise Hawks – Boise pulled out to an early lead and never trailed in this 7-3 win.
Arizona – Arizona let this game slip away late. They lost 7-6.
Performances of Note
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