TheBenjamin
Jun 9th 2009, 9:31 pm
Cubs Draft touted center fielder at No. 31
UC Berkeley product Jackson is big fan of the North Siders
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
HOUSTON -- Brett Jackson celebrated his 19th birthday in August 2007 by going to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, calling it one of the best days he's had. The young outfielder may get a chance to play for those same Cubs in the future.
The Cubs selected Jackson, 20, with the 31st pick in the first round of the
"I'm a big Cubs fan," Jackson said. "I'm honored to be with this organization. Honestly, truly, I was hoping to be with the Cubs the whole time and couldn't believe it when my name was read."
Jackson played in Wisconsin after his freshman year at UC Berkeley in the North Woods League, and he went to Wrigley for his birthday party on Aug. 2 that year.
"I was somewhat overwhelmed just walking in," he said of Wrigley. "You can feel the history. I remember just walking in and being wowed. It was one of the better birthdays of my life, I must say.
"Even before that, I've supported the Cubs and the history and the tradition of the team," Jackson said. "I love the mascot -- once a bear, always a bear. I'm proud to be a Cub today and looking forward to helping the organization in the future."
A leadoff hitter and center fielder at the University of California, Jackson is a left-handed hitter with above-average speed. He's the third position player taken in four Drafts by Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken. Last year was the only time the Cubs and Wilken switched gears and chose a pitcher, taking Andrew Cashner from Texas Christian University in the first round.
"We're thrilled to be able to acquire a player like Brett Jackson," Wilken said Tuesday. "He plays the game hard and has a chance to be a true center fielder."
Jackson batted .326 with a .416 on-base percentage, .568 slugging percentage and 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts over 46 games in his junior season at California. He went 4-for-16 in a recent series against Oregon with a triple and a double.
"He has quite a few attributes that I like," Wilken said. "First of all, the ability to play center field. We feel he has an average or above-average throwing arm. He's an athletic center fielder, and we feel he's a guy who's a plus runner and has a chance to have some power down the line."
The Cubs had earmarked Jackson but weren't sure he'd be available this late in the First-Year Player Draft. The outfielder was ranked by Baseball America as the second-best overall athlete among all available college players in the 2009 Draft class. He was named to the All-Pac 10 team after his stellar junior season.
"I think he's got a chance to be a front-line center fielder and everyday player with a chance to hit with some power and hit with average," Wilken said.
In three seasons at California, Jackson batted .303 with 91 runs scored, 25 doubles, 11 triples, 12 homers and 85 RBIs in 152 games.
He still has things to work on, such as his baserunning, and said he isn't afraid of work. Asked if he can advance quickly through the system, Jackson said, "That's the plan."
An aggressive hitter, he impressed Wilken when he played in the Cape Cod League, batting both leadoff and third.
"I have the ability to drive in runs and also the ability to get on base and create some," Jackson said. "I think my bat influences the lineup and I think that will work itself out in the future."
He hopes that future includes games at Wrigley Field soon.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
UC Berkeley product Jackson is big fan of the North Siders
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
HOUSTON -- Brett Jackson celebrated his 19th birthday in August 2007 by going to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, calling it one of the best days he's had. The young outfielder may get a chance to play for those same Cubs in the future.
The Cubs selected Jackson, 20, with the 31st pick in the first round of the
"I'm a big Cubs fan," Jackson said. "I'm honored to be with this organization. Honestly, truly, I was hoping to be with the Cubs the whole time and couldn't believe it when my name was read."
Jackson played in Wisconsin after his freshman year at UC Berkeley in the North Woods League, and he went to Wrigley for his birthday party on Aug. 2 that year.
"I was somewhat overwhelmed just walking in," he said of Wrigley. "You can feel the history. I remember just walking in and being wowed. It was one of the better birthdays of my life, I must say.
"Even before that, I've supported the Cubs and the history and the tradition of the team," Jackson said. "I love the mascot -- once a bear, always a bear. I'm proud to be a Cub today and looking forward to helping the organization in the future."
A leadoff hitter and center fielder at the University of California, Jackson is a left-handed hitter with above-average speed. He's the third position player taken in four Drafts by Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken. Last year was the only time the Cubs and Wilken switched gears and chose a pitcher, taking Andrew Cashner from Texas Christian University in the first round.
"We're thrilled to be able to acquire a player like Brett Jackson," Wilken said Tuesday. "He plays the game hard and has a chance to be a true center fielder."
Jackson batted .326 with a .416 on-base percentage, .568 slugging percentage and 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts over 46 games in his junior season at California. He went 4-for-16 in a recent series against Oregon with a triple and a double.
"He has quite a few attributes that I like," Wilken said. "First of all, the ability to play center field. We feel he has an average or above-average throwing arm. He's an athletic center fielder, and we feel he's a guy who's a plus runner and has a chance to have some power down the line."
The Cubs had earmarked Jackson but weren't sure he'd be available this late in the First-Year Player Draft. The outfielder was ranked by Baseball America as the second-best overall athlete among all available college players in the 2009 Draft class. He was named to the All-Pac 10 team after his stellar junior season.
"I think he's got a chance to be a front-line center fielder and everyday player with a chance to hit with some power and hit with average," Wilken said.
In three seasons at California, Jackson batted .303 with 91 runs scored, 25 doubles, 11 triples, 12 homers and 85 RBIs in 152 games.
He still has things to work on, such as his baserunning, and said he isn't afraid of work. Asked if he can advance quickly through the system, Jackson said, "That's the plan."
An aggressive hitter, he impressed Wilken when he played in the Cape Cod League, batting both leadoff and third.
"I have the ability to drive in runs and also the ability to get on base and create some," Jackson said. "I think my bat influences the lineup and I think that will work itself out in the future."
He hopes that future includes games at Wrigley Field soon.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.