Zach Jackson's potential?

[jimmyjeromehardy7]

I thought he showed potential in 2006 when he was up, he's only 24 (will turn 25 in May) and is a lefty. Since he is hardly ever mentioned as a prospect, I am curious what the thoughts are on Zach and what his ceiling is. I see him as a back end of the rotation guy and being a lefty arm in the bullpen later in his career.

[Tbadder]

I think of him in exactly the same way. I'd like to see him hang in there and eventually end up one of those carfty veteran lefties that hang on till they're 40.

[JJHardy7]

I am curious what the thoughts are on Zach and what his ceiling is. I see him as a back end of the rotation guy and being a lefty arm in the bullpen later in his career.

 

I've seen him pitch a few games here in Nashville and the games I was at he struggled big time and I'd say his 2007 season was a bit of a disappointment. He doesn't struggle because he doesn't care -- he was one of the most hard working Sounds last year in terms of pitchers (along with Sarfate, Dickey, Pettyjohn, and DiFelice). I remember how intense he was the playoff ending game -- he got hit around a bit, but he was pretty intense on the mound.

[dadofandrew]

#4/5 rotation guy, or a lefty reliever. I agree he'll spend a while in the bigs.

 

Those SP's toward the bottom of the rotation are making about $7-10M these days, so they are not to be dismissed, by any means.

[twobrewers]

I was thinking he might have #1/#2 potential if he gets traded to the Nationals.

[sbrylski]

It's going to be hard to get him a shot with the Brewers, I would say. As (hopefully) contendors for the next few seasons, it'll be hard to give a guy with backend of the rotation potential even the #6 or 7 SP spot.

[colbyjack]

I think his upside is a pitcher similar to Doug Davis.

 

However Jackson now has more than 300 innings pitched at the AAA level with an ERA in the 4.50 range. That's not exactly encouraging hoping this guy will ever make significant contributions at the big-league level, and while he has been tougher on left-handed batters, he hasn't been flat-out dominating to entice anyone to put him in the bullpen and try to get some value out of him.

 

There is some reason for hope. He has good poise, which he displayed in his big-league call-up, and unlike Davis he seems to attack hitters more than work the corners. I know I was unimpressed by his breaking ball during his call-up, and his cutter isn't as good as Davis for him to be as effective. He did strike out a lot more batters last year, but he also gave up a lot more hits than what he has done in his career.

 

I just fear that he peaked. He soared through the Blue Jays system before the Brewers acquired him, probably largely due to his approach being too much for younger hitters to handle, but hasn't been nearly as consistent or as effective since reaching AAA. He definitely is the type of player that could peak even later, as Doug Melvin has stated that crafty lefties of his ilk seem to take longer to find their groove (a la Davis), and may be just a case of a player needing everything to click for him to be successful.

 

Color me skeptical, but obviously I root for any player on the cusp of the big-leagues being successful. As others have mentioned, if Jackson does have success, there's a good chance it likely will be with another team unless he's significantly better starting this coming year.

[JohnBriggs12]

I have a hard time seeing much upside for a guy who had a 1.46 WHIP at AAA. From what I've seen of him, his stuff just isn't that good. Unless he shows tremendous improvement this year, he'll be a guy who kicks around AAA for years, maybe getting a cup of coffee here and there but that's about it.

[DrWood]

I think it's too early to assume he won't have a major league career.

[hauser42]

I think it's too early to assume he won't have a major league career.

The brightness of his flame has dulled out over the last year and a half. He came over from the Blue Jays with big expectations since he blew threw the lower minors. I see a 5th starter type for him at best, he just doenst have enought pitches to be a consistent guy that a team can count on for the rotation.

[sheetswannabe]

He reminds me of a rat. I liked his, Dontrelle Willis-ish delivery!

[TheBrewer]

I really don't think he's going to do anything. If he stays in the rotation he needs to figure out AAA batters first before coming to MIL or MLB in that matter. With that said, I think in the Major Leagues he could be a good #4/#5 starter if given 200innings. That said it wont' happen in MIL. I wouldn't throw out the fact of them trying him in the BP - who knows what could happen in the BP for him.

[logan82]

I thought he only had 2 decent pitches and needed to work on a third to be more than a reliever for the Brewers. I thought he was ok in his 2006 callup, but the fact that he didn't make an appearance last year leads me to believe he has been passed over by others. He should be more than just a LOOGY if he is in the bulpen.

[LouisEly]

I saw Jackson start in SF against the Giants in 2006. It was perhaps his best game in the majors, which is ironic because it was his last. He gave up only one earned run in 5 IP on 4 hits (but walked four) and his GB:FB ratio was 11:3. He made Bonds look foolish several times, and threw a changeup that made Bonds just about screw himself into the ground.

 

Two reasons not to give up on him:

1) In 2006 his GB:FB ratio in the majors was 60:46 - not bad.

2) The way he made Bonds look he might have a future as a LOOGY

[RobertR]

I suspect that whatever the future holds it's not with the Brewers. He's a guy that a team like the Nationals or Marlins should spend a waiver claim on and stick him in long relief or #5 starter and see what he does in MLB over the course of a season. He might not stick, but he wouldn't cost either of those teams a playoff spot either and there's enough upside there to make it worth the risk, even if it's just as a #4/#5 starter. Those guys are no longer cheap.

 

Robert

[erbacaine04]

He will be a Bullpen guy nothing more....probably will be part of our young Bullpen next season when we lose all of the one year contracts.....

The thing is though Jackson cant be a Lefty specialist because Lefties hit him pretty hard.... He I think could be our Long man or just a MRP next year.

 

His stuff is just average...and he has to be on target all the time... which he is not.