NEWSLETTER
The Brewers are just making all the last-minute trades, I guess. Soon after picking up catcher Victor Caratini from the Padres, the Brewers acquired former top prospect Alex Jackson from the Marlins.
C Alex Jackson has been acquired from Miami in exchange for INF Hayden Cantrelle and RHP Alexis Ramirez. Jackson will report to Triple-A Nashville. pic.twitter.com/qFv2IAQ1eT
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 6, 2022
If the name is vaguely familiar, Jackson was a tip-top prospect back in 2014, when the Mariners took him 6th overall in the draft. Jackson struggled almost immediately with serious strikeout issues, and within a couple years was traded to the Braves for two pitching prospects. Jackson reached the big leagues with the Braves, but never stuck. He was traded last Trade Deadline to the Marlins as part of the Adam Duvall trade.
Ultimately, Jackson is catching depth for the Brewers, as he still has an option year left. He has shown enormous power in the upper minors, as it was expected he might, but the strikeouts have made him unplayable so far (mid-30s in the upper minors, nearly 50% in the big leagues). Even though he’s only 26, it’s unlikely a switch flips for Jackson at this point. But then again, he wouldn’t have to improve the strikeout rate THAT much to become an interesting back-up catcher option, especially since he rates out decently on defense.
All in all, I would say this is some nice depth for the Brewers. Not gonna shake the earth, but it’ll give them another option at back-up catcher if Victor Caratini doesn’t bounce back. As for what the Brewers gave up, Cantrelle and Ramirez both seem to be legitimate prospects (back end of the Brewers top 40 (weak system)), but limited upside, very far away, little success, etc.
