H/W: 6-2 185 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/11/88
The Blue Jays challenged their former 1st round draft pick by sending him to full season Low-A Lansing for the entire '08 season. As expected, there were some growing pains for the 19 year old shortstop as he hit just .238 with 7 HR 47 RBI 17 SB and 74 runs scored. At this stage of his career, Jackson's defensive projectivity is greater than his offensive abilities. With a good first step and strong arm, Justin should be come an above average fielding shortstop in time. His offensive game has some holes, but it has upside as well. Last season, Jackson showed some power potential smacking 26 doubles to go with his 6 triples and 7 HR. His long, wiry frame has good strength and potential for future growth. Jackson has bittersweet plate discipline as his 60 BB last season were well above average for someone his age, but so were the 154 K's. Additionally, Justin has slightly above average speed that he utilizes well on the basepaths. There are several pluses and minuses in this young shortstop's game that will need some time to sort out. The Blue Jays should extend to him a great deal of patience in hopes that it will pay off in the form of a future stalwart of the six-hole.
2009 Projection: Jackson should head to High-A Dunedin to start the season, but don't be surprised if the Blue Jays ship him back to Lansing if he struggles in the early going. The strikeouts are the biggest thing holding Jackson back from being a more buzzworthy prospect. If he can cut his totals down to less than one per game, he is a viable threat to score 85-100 runs. Watch the power numbers as well. Jackson had a good number of XBH as a teen, which is a prime indicator of power yet to come. With his size and strength, it is not unreasonable to believe that J-Jack could be a 12-15 HR guy at the major league level.
Key Justin Jackson Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft
- 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto
- 2007 Bowman Sterling
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/850
 Rhythm-Dance by D.D. Jackson (CD, May-1996, Justin Time) $12.99 |
 The Calling by Bluiett/Jackson/El'Zabar (CD, Apr-2001, Justin Time) $12.99 |
 Sigame by D.D. Jackson (CD, Mar-2002, Justin Time) $12.99 |
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