Should Yanks Call Up Austin Jackson?
By Mike Silva ~ June 25th, 2009. Filed under: Mike Silva.
Chuck Johnson of Dugout Central brought up this point.
Put Jackson in the everyday lineup and let him play. If he goes 0-4, yet wins the game with a great defensive play, he’s still performing at a level Cabrera and Gardner can’t. If he goes 3-4, pilfers a couple of sacks and scores a run or two on his own, he’s performing at a level Cabrera and Gardner can’t.
Some called for Jacckson’s promotion last year when Melky Cabrera was having a terrible season and Brett Gardner struggled in his cup of coffee. It was ludicrous to think Jackson was ready to make the jump from AA Trenton to the Bronx. This year, it might not be so crazy.
If Jackson is truly a great player, like some think, he will have success and make the necessary adjustments. The Red Sox brought up Jacoby Ellsbury in 2007 and haven’t looked back since. David Wright jumped two levels in 2004 to make his pro debut. Right now the only aspect of Jackson’s game that is underdeveloped at Scranton is his ability to hit for power. Most baseball experts will say power is the last of the five tools to develop.
With all that being said I doubt this is the route that Brian Cashman and company go. Historically the Yankees have never rushed their prospects mid-season. This changed in 2007 when Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy were summoned to the big leagues. That was a desperate situation, this is clearly not. If you remember the Yankees didn’t promote Derek Jeter or Jorge Posada in 1995. They let them spend the entire year in AAA and had them make the team the following year. Jackson, more than likely, will follow suit.
Brett Gardner is continuing to improve and Cabrera has had a nice season. Melky has actually had a number of clutch hits that have kept the Yanks within striking distance of Boston. Offense, even without Alex Rodriguez, hasn’t been the Yankees problem. The back half of their rotation, bullpen, and the Yankee Stadium winds have been the culprit. Unless Austin Jackson can pitch the Yankees would be better served letting him finish the year at Scranton, get his cup of coffee in September, and try to make the team in spring training 2010.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Jackson needs a full season in Scranton.
If you thought Swisher struck out a lot – wait until you see Jackson play everyday before he’s ready.
He needs to learn the strike zone. He swings at way too many pitches out of the zone – especially the high fastball. He can’t lay off it.
How long do you think it would take a major league pitcher to figure out that weakness of his?
About one game. Maybe two.
Leave him in Scranton for the full season and promote him in September when their season is over.
Besides, they have plenty of outfielders already.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:55 am
You mention in your article that the Red Sox brought up Jacoby Ellsbury and haven’t looked back yet,well we have a guy with the same talent in Brett Gardner and you are looking to replace him already.Did jacoby Ellsbury hit 280 his first year? Well Gardner is hitting 280 and Playing gold glove defense.LET HIM PLAY.
Why don’t the Yankees try Johnny Damon in the fifth spot and bat Swisher 2nd. Johnny is hitting for power this year and I think he may be bettter protection for A-Rod than Robinson Cano. bat Cano 6th.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Dear Sir, Have you ever watched Brett Gardner play? Or do you get all you insight from the New York Post?
June 25th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Mariano Rivera has more pop in his bat than Gardner Paul and he is not a good defender, despite what the mainstream media says. Gardner is not an everday player. Very solid 4th outfielder however.
Also, I agree with Giuseppe, despite the fact that Jackson has a much higher ceiling than both Melky and Brett. Jackson still needs to show a little more homerun power and better contact rates before being called up.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:10 pm
As of now the yanks are falling into deep desperation when it comes to the future of the yanks even though jeter and texeira and cano are there. Even with austin comming up will give them a look at what the kids future will be so i think cashmann should play it smart and call up the rookie and give him a chance at the big leagues the same way the redsoxs made a huge adjustment in their future with ellsbury and pedroia.