BA's 2011 PCL Top 20 Prospects

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Brett Jackson comes in at 8 as the only Cub:

 

 8. BRETT JACKSON OF, IOWA CUBS

Age: 22. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 210. Drafted: California '09 (1).

 

In a season where not much went right in the majors or minors for the Cubs, Jackson was an exception. He arrived in Iowa in July and put up the best numbers of his three-year pro career.

 

Jackson is a quality athlete who does a little bit of everything. He has a quick bat, solid power and a knack for driving the ball in the gaps. He's patient enough to draw walks, though he tends to expand his strike zone against lefthanders, and some PCL observers considered his swing too mechanical.

 

Jackson has a plus speed and shows aptitude on the bases. He also gets good jumps and tracks balls well in the outfield, with enough range to play center. He has average arm strength and makes accurate throws.

[BeerHere]

Seems clear that he'll be on the opening day roster in April. Whether that is in RF or CF remains to be seen. In my world Epstein swings a trade with the Marlins sending Zambrano and Byrd with Morrison and Dominguez/James coming back.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I actually think he won't get called up until may or June next year as he gets ~200 more minor league PAs.

 

I also believe he or Szczur might be the best trade bait we have for the right player.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I actually think he won't get called up until may or June next year as he gets ~200 more minor league PAs.

 

I think that an awful ST would be the only thing that would prevent him. Otherwise, we have a starting OF looking something like Soriano/Byrd/Colvin unless someone else is signed or traded. Even if we did get someone like LoMo or Michael Taylor(just thought Id suggest him as a possible target), I'd prefer Jackson in CF and trade Byrd.

[BeerHere]

I actually think he won't get called up until may or June next year as he gets ~200 more minor league PAs.

 

I think that an awful ST would be the only thing that would prevent him. Otherwise, we have a starting OF looking something like Soriano/Byrd/Colvin unless someone else is signed or traded. Even if we did get someone like LoMo or Michael Taylor(just thought Id suggest him as a possible target), I'd prefer Jackson in CF and trade Byrd.

I would tend to agree. While I think Colvin was misused a bit this year, he didn't build upon his 2010 season at all and seemed to have regressed quite a bit. I wouldn't be disappointed if he was the starting RF to start the season, but he certainly has to be on a very short leash. If he's hitting under .200 with a poor obp by June, then I think we turn the page and look elsewhere.

[KingCubsFan]

Seems clear that he'll be on the opening day roster in April. Whether that is in RF or CF remains to be seen. In my world Epstein swings a trade with the Marlins sending Zambrano and Byrd with Morrison and Dominguez/James coming back.

Dominguez is one of the most overrated prospects in baseball, IMO.

[biittner77]

I actually think he won't get called up until may or June next year as he gets ~200 more minor league PAs.

 

I think that an awful ST would be the only thing that would prevent him. Otherwise, we have a starting OF looking something like Soriano/Byrd/Colvin unless someone else is signed or traded. Even if we did get someone like LoMo or Michael Taylor(just thought Id suggest him as a possible target), I'd prefer Jackson in CF and trade Byrd.

 

By keeping him in the minors for 11 days they can push back his service time by 1 year- at least that's the way it used to work. I think they would still probably like to see if Colvin is anyone worth keeping for a couple weeks to start the season.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I actually think he won't get called up until may or June next year as he gets ~200 more minor league PAs.

 

I think that an awful ST would be the only thing that would prevent him. Otherwise, we have a starting OF looking something like Soriano/Byrd/Colvin unless someone else is signed or traded. Even if we did get someone like LoMo or Michael Taylor(just thought Id suggest him as a possible target), I'd prefer Jackson in CF and trade Byrd.

 

By keeping him in the minors for 11 days they can push back his service time by 1 year- at least that's the way it used to work. I think they would still probably like to see if Colvin is anyone worth keeping for a couple weeks to start the season.

 

I'm all for letting Colvin platoon with Soriano if he can move to left. or platoon him with Byrd if we can manage to move Soriano.

[BeerHere]

Woo!

 

BeerHere (Chicago): Is Brett Jackson in the Cubs 2012 opening day lineup?

 

Nathan Rode: Obviously that depends on how Spring Training goes for him, but I think he'll be given every shot to make it.

[Guest]

Woo!

 

BeerHere (Chicago): Is Brett Jackson in the Cubs 2012 opening day lineup?

 

Nathan Rode: Obviously that depends on how Spring Training goes for him, but I think he'll be given every shot to make it.

 

Yeah, I completely agree with his response. The Cubs should and probably will give Jackson the chance to win the job in March.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I actually think he won't get called up until may or June next year as he gets ~200 more minor league PAs.

 

I think that an awful ST would be the only thing that would prevent him. Otherwise, we have a starting OF looking something like Soriano/Byrd/Colvin unless someone else is signed or traded. Even if we did get someone like LoMo or Michael Taylor(just thought Id suggest him as a possible target), I'd prefer Jackson in CF and trade Byrd.

 

By keeping him in the minors for 11 days they can push back his service time by 1 year- at least that's the way it used to work. I think they would still probably like to see if Colvin is anyone worth keeping for a couple weeks to start the season.

 

Exactly...I realize Colvin had a bad year but it would be re-[expletive]-tarded for the Cubs to buy too much into it...He should get another look and he's got the tools to make good on it. Despite the bad year I'm still impressed by Colvin's potential to offer some power/speed. He could turn himself into a starting RF and if anything he's a versatile bench OF.

[biittner77]

It's hard to blame anyone for not believing in Colvin. Or to put it another way, if the the real Colvin is somewhere between what we saw the last 2 years it's hard to see him ever being a starter on a good team unless that team can carry meh production from a corner OF spot.

[mul21]

It's hard to blame anyone for not believing in Colvin. Or to put it another way, if the the real Colvin is somewhere between what we saw the last 2 years it's hard to see him ever being a starter on a good team unless that team can carry meh production from a corner OF spot.

 

Any thoughts that he may have been having some sort of negative after effects from getting impaled last year?