Well, he specifically asked for any exceptions. And Howard struck out at 26% as a 22-year-old. Jackson struck out 27% as a 20-year-old. I'd actually take Jackson's over Howard's.
Braves acquire Alex Jackson from SEA for Whalen and Povse
- Thread starter dak
- Start date
Well, he specifically asked for any exceptions. And Howard struck out at 26% as a 22-year-old. Jackson struck out 27% as a 20-year-old. I'd actually take Jackson's over Howard's.
Ok haha
I understand that. But the rest of Howards game were quite a bit better than made his transition to the big leagues easier. It's rare to strikeout nearly 30% of the time in the low minors, continue that, and find success at the major league level. To do so you need other really redeemable qualities. I don't see that in Jackson right now. Which is why most people are saying the odds are really staked against him. Which is why we were able to get him for what we did. He is a lottery ticket and there is nothing wrong with that. Just like Povse and Whalen are virtual lottery tickets to actually do anything at the major league level.
This is basically a non consequence move that most people will have forgotten about a year or two from now.
The only reason I feel it was a little steep is that I honestly wonder how many other teams Seattle had lined up to give them more than one arm that you feel pretty confident will contribute to a big club this season. Seattle's doing what the Red Sox did a couple years ago - shopping at the bottom of the barrel for mid and back of the rotation guys in the hopes that they can replace Walker's innings on the cheap and hoping that King Felix has some kind of a Verlander-like renaissance. If Hernandez doesn't bounce back and Paxton doesn't take a big step forward (plus stay healthy) - they're going to have a rotation full of #3/#4s.
If Jackson had a little better reputation, I'm sure they'd have had a handful of teams that would've lined up to gamble on Jackson. I just get a sneaky feeling that if Coppy would have drawn a line in the sand and told DiPoto he could have his pick - but only one - we'd still have gotten Jackson. Like you mention, we've got a handful of those guys - I'd have just told him he could have any one of Whalen/Perez/Gant/or Jenkins - or if they had that much interest in someone further away like Povse, he could pick between Povse and Ellis. I'd have kept Sims out of the discussions just because I personally think he could turn into a dynamic pen piece - and that could be coming soon.
True, but the topic was K rates at lower levels, he is the first comp that I looked at. I'm sure there are several others.
Jackson already made significant strides from his first year to his 2nd year. This will definitely be a critical year in terms of his development.
There are several others. There are always players that buck the trend. But not being able to make contact in A ball is not something you want to see. Players can make adjustments and overcome that but it's very difficult. Hopefully Alex is one of those players.
Yeah, no matter how you look at it, the performance so far is a major concern. My primary question then becomes what can we point to in the scouting report that would account for him being such a poor performer with the tools he had just a couple years ago, and the answer seems to be unwillingness to be coached or make adjustments. The hope then is that somehow the new coaches can get through to him, or that being dealt for two possible backend starters is a wake up call.
I still think him catching again is a positive, not only because he seems to have a passion for it, but because he clearly needs work in the lower minors for his bat as it is, so why not bring him along slowly? It doesn't seem like he's anywhere near becoming the middle of the order threat Seattle was hoping he'd become right away, so see if he can stick at catcher where his bat wouldn't need to be quite as great.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
The other angle on that is that, regardless of age, that was Howard's 2nd year of pro ball. 2016 was Jackson's 3rd. If Jackson turns into something, fine. But I'm right with thewupk. Jackson's K-rate is disturbing.
I'm hoping our new roving catching instructor who was on the Mariners in 2014 has given us some inside info.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/...prospect-alex-jackson/clvsjs4kojGEuyTzFXkRhK/
I've wonded if Max Pentecost could be a good buy low acquisiton. He's finally back after his shoulder injuries and has been DH'ing. His next step is getting back to catching.
He was the #11 pick in 2014
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
My undying posi braveism is hoping that the injuries (shoulder and hand or wrist) is a big cause of his struggles. When did he start to feel this vs. getting it fixed. Also, a change of scenery and teams can make a big difference in a young player like this. I still dislike the trade personally... ( I just thought Povse and Whalen had more room to grow and gain value where Jackson might be as high as it ever will be).. but I am holding hope that Scouts saw something and this wasn't a Hart hardon for another player he liked a few years ago.
Southcack77
Well-known member
That's fair.
Also you are talking about one year with an injury and a second year where he obviously was not on the same page as the organization.
Road splits are also strange.
I think the chance is probably better than the near 0 chance of a lottery ticket hitting. But maybe not a ton more?
Question is whether there was any opportunity coast as far as better value elsewhere for those assets. I don't know the answer to that one.
chop2chip
Well-known member
Trade somewhat reminds me of the logic behind the Man Ban trade. Trade useful spare parts that ultimately don't move the needle for a high ceiling player with a lot of question marks. The Man Ban trade didn't work out, but I still liked that we did it. I feel the same way about this trade regardless if Jackson develops or not.
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Max Povse was listed as the Mariners #8 prospect by BA today.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I've thought about acquiring Pentecost as well. A lot would depend on what the long-term prognosis is for his shoulder.
I think the Braves should just acquire every first round pick from the 2014 draft, even if they are completely out of baseball. Surely one of them will pan out!
Howard had played 48 games after coming out of college entering that year. Jackson had played 100 games after coming out of high school. Not a big difference. In fact, again, the fact that Howard played 3 years of college would make me more concerned about him than even Jackson at this point.
His K-rate is certainly 'disturbing,' which is why he was available, and for relatively little. I don't think anyone is saying that Jackson's performance so far is reason to be excited about him. The question is whether or not his performance so far means there's no way he ever amounts to anything. And I think that's kind of crazy.
Nobody has said that. But it does make it extremely unlikely.
Jackson barely played in 2014 and was injured for much of 2015. He's played s grand total of like 9 more games through his 1st three years than Howard did throught his first two. Not to mention, Howard got 3 years of college ball.
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Krgrecw did on the last page (not word for word, but was implied).