DOB: 9/25/79, Age: 22, Height: 6’4’’, Weight:
205, Bats: R, Throws: R. Acquired: Cubs - Drafted 3rd Round of 2000 Draft
(U. of Richmond). 2000 Stats: (Sseason-A - Eugene) .255 AVG, 294 AB, 12
2B, 7 3B, 6 HR, 25 SB, 22 BB, 64 K, .308 OBP, .405 SLG. 2001 Stats:
(High-A - Daytona) .296 AVG, 503 AB, 30 2B, 6 3B, 19 HR, 24 SB, 39 BB, 96
K, .355 OBP, .493 SLG.
The depth of the Cubs system can
be easily illustrated by the fact that Nic Jackson, as good as he is,
might not be one of their top ten prospects. Jackson is an outfield
prospect in an organization that is loaded just about everywhere but
outfield. After showing a bit of power and speed after signing in 2000,
Jackson improved his strength this season while moving up two levels. Nic
clubbed 55 extra-base hits at Daytona this year, including 19 homers, and
stole 24 bases to boot. He doesn’t project to have tremendous power, but
he’ll hit enough to bat above the last few spots in the order. His success
rate stealing bases was rather poor this season (24 for 34), but he was 25
for 28 in 2000, so he’s capable of stealing bases in a Paul O’Neill sort
of way. Jackson is capable defensively without being stellar, both with
the glove and arm strength. As with most young hitters, his strike zone
judgment needs to improve. Nic is a very aggressive hitter, and I wouldn’t
expect him to become much better at drawing walks, which certainly puts a
ceiling on how good he can be.
The Cubs are set for the time
being with White, Patterson, and Sosa in the outfield. White is as brittle
as anyone in the game, and there aren’t many better options for the Cubs
(except maybe Wonder Hamster, Matt Stairs) anywhere in the system than
Jackson. Being a college hitter, he needs to continue to move through the
organization to have an impact. I would expect him to start in AA next
season, and potentially make the majors in 2004. The Cubs may be ready to
replace White at that time: he’ll be 32 at that point. Actually, Jackson
might not have a ceiling to far from White as a player, with a little less
speed and a little more suspect defense. He probably won’t ever be a star,
but he could be a decent major leaguer. I’d say he’s about 50/50 to be a
major league starter within five years.