expectations for Zack Jackson

[DHonks]

I remember TC questioning why I didn't have him ranked in my top 20-25 prospects in the offseason poll in January 2006, and it was because I was skeptical of another team parting with a pitcher. At the same time, lots here were in love with him and expecting big things. So after roughly 1 1/3 seasons of Zack Jackson, what are people's thoughts of him?

 

I see him as a potential long reliever, but that's about it. He seems to get some groundouts, but he lacks an overwhelming pitch

[Never Outhustled]

I don't have high expectations for him, and idn't then either. I wish we had Ty Taubenhiem back, but I won't complain too much, as Gross is better than I expected, making it a good trade anyway.

[JoeHova]

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I see him as a potential long reliever, but that's about it. He seems to get some groundouts, but he lacks an overwhelming pitch

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I concur with this assessment. I could maybe see him as a LOOGY though if he can develop an out pitch to use on lefties. He doesn't seem to have great stuff or great results so he'll be lucky to ever do much in the majors.

[bobskube]

He would top off as a #4 starter, but I see him more as a #5 or long reliever that eventually would become a LOOGY.

 

That is still a pretty solid thing to have in your bank though.

[TheCrew07]

hmm, maybe a bullpen type, he's not dominant in any one way, his only asset is that he's a lefty.

[JoeHova]

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That is still a pretty solid thing to have in your bank though.

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Definitely, it can't hurt to have a guy like him hanging around in AAA.

[pogokat]

I think he was overrated quite a bit when he got here...he's still not a bad pitching proespect...but his ceiling is probably lower than all 5 of the guys the brewers ahve starting right now...he's good insurance though

[brettac1]

I would say a middle reliever when he gets to the big leagues to stay.

 

He just doesn't have an out pitch.

[dadofandrew]

Just a slightly lower ceiling than Eveland, but Zach does have a better body. He'll be a big leaguer, and quite possibly a SP for a while.

[endaround]

A lot lower than Eveland. Eveland can strike people out. Jackson has yet to show that. And Eveland is a full year younger.

[Tedaldtada]

All he is worth to Brewers right now is a bat or extra bullpen arm at the deadline. I would be very happy with that.

[JoeHova]

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Just a slightly lower ceiling than Eveland, but Zach does have a better body. He'll be a big leaguer, and quite possibly a SP for a while.

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I'm curious why you think he's that good. His results in the minors have not been great and, by all accounts, his stuff is nothing special. Contrast that with Eveland who has dominated various levels of the minors, has a much better repertoire and is younger.

[Tbadder]

I think he'll be a good Elmer Dessens, and if Villy moves into the rotation someday, I see Jackson taking his spot. that's the upper limit as I see it.

[endaround]

Jackson will have no where near the career of Dessens. Check out Dessens' career.

[DHonks]

Jackson will have no where near the career of Dessens. Check out Dessens' career

 

So you're saying there's no chance he can even be an awful pitcher?

[miwokE]

I'm thinking something along the line of what we saw from Wayne Franklin. I don't expect more, maybe less.

 

He's really only had one above average season: single A where he was older and more experienced than most of his opponents. His numbers in college were solid, but nothing too impressive. And in his professional career, he has never averaged 6 or more innings per start (including this year). The complete game this year was his first as a pro.

 

He does seem to be having some success against lefty opponents; maybe he would thrive as a situational guy...I think it's about time to consider that, or a trade.

[brettac1]

So you're saying there's no chance he can even be an awful pitcher?

 

If Zach Jackson ever has a 3.03 ERA as a starter for a whole season, like Dessens did in 2002, I'd be pretty shocked. There's no way you can say 1000+ innings of 4.44 ERA pitching is terrible. If Zach Jackson did that, it would turn out to be a great pickup.

[Oldcity]

I distinctly remember Melvin saying at the time of the trade that they projected him as a #2 starter and he was the big prize of the entire deal. Kind of disappointing.