Wrapping up our individual draft profiles, we'll finish up with a guy who hasn't really been tied to the White Sox by anything more than his rank against the Sox' draft slot. Still, it's good to familiarize ourselves with somebody who has been in the top five throughout the process, if only to know what might be available.
White Sox Draft Possibility Profiles
Who is Alex Jackson?
The 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound catcher/outfielder out of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego. He stands to be the school's sixth first-round pick over the last 20 years, joining a group that includes Cole Hamels and Hank Blalock.
How does he rank?
- Baseball America: No.4
- Keith Law: No. 6
- Scout.com: No.3
- MLB.com: No.4
What's his game?
Jackson offers some of the best right-handed power in the draft, with the ability to hit with authority to center and right as well. MLB.com says his all-fields potential makes a .280 average possible. His arm strength is considered an asset, too, which gives him a future behind the plate if he can improve his receiving. However, if a team would rather run him up the ladder quicker while sparing him the wear and tear, he has enough speed to handle right field (although Baseball America says he hasn't looked bad at third, either). It seems like his bat is quick enough to shorten his swing with no ill effects, as MLB.com says he falls into the habit of getting too long.
What does he look like?
Why would the White Sox draft him?
The White Sox could use bats, whether they catch or play the outfield, and everybody knows they're not afraid to fast-track a prep hitter.
Why would the White Sox draft somebody else?
Because they need pitchers with strikeout stuff more than a prep position player, and this would be the year to do it. Also, the last time they fast-tracked a first-round prep hitter, it didn't work out so well.
Where's he going in mock drafts?
- MLB.com: No. 6 (Mariners)
- Baseball America: No. 2 (Marlins)
- Scout.com: No. 6
- Keith Law:: No. 6
While Jackson has fallen from the second pick to the sixth pick in the most recent round of mock drafts, he's still floated as a possibility to be taken first by the Houston Astros. Jackson is represented by Scott Boras, who also represents Carlos Rodon, and Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel says Jackson might be seen as the more affordable of the two. For a team with extra picks, that's some money they can spread around later.
If he gets past the Marlins, Jim Callis and others see the Mariners as the next team truly in on him. The White Sox are seemingly not in the conversation at all.
Podcast: Draft blowout
I'll be plugging this all week: The latest episode of the South Side Sox podcast offers plenty of draft talk, including input from White Sox director of amateur scouting Doug Laumann and MLB.com senior writer Jim Callis. You can listen and download here:
If you haven't yet subscribed to the podcast, there are a few ways to go about it:
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