AFL Result Wenesday, October 18
- Thread starter rico43
- Start date
BeanieAntics
Arbitration Eligible
I'm a little higher on Jackson than most, but I am skeptical of him being able to remain behind the plate. Maybe, since this was his first year, he will figure it out in the future. I certainly hope so because him as a catching prospect is far more valuable than him as a left field prospect or something else.
As far as "value" on paper, sure. The problem is this gets a little too overrated at times. I'd love to have his bat behind the plate (assuming it keeps developing), but you need bats everywhere. I'd far rather keep finding guys that can do what Flowers can do back there (whether we're developing them or signing them as free-agents) and moving the guys with legitimate bats elsewhere. If Riley and Jackson keep hitting, we'll find somewhere to play them.
I was surprised at the low amount of enthusiasm surrounding his performance last year. He was one of the best power hitters in the minors before he got hurt. Sure, small sample caveats and all but this guy has a pedigree. He is not far removed from holding the title of best high school bat in the draft. If he keeps hitting he will play somewhere for the Braves. I get the preference to be behind the plate but I see it as hopefully a couple of years till we find the next long term option back there and then you put him in LF to preserve a potentially good career.
We have seen first hand how much a good pitch framer can benefit pitchers, so we will need to keep that in mind when judging the performance of whichever pitching prospects are throwing to AJax next year.
LOL of course you were. Any Braves prospect not touted as a Top 50 guy isn't getting his due in your opinion.