Nic Jackson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #14 prospect in 2004
  Jackson could push himself into the mix to replace Moises Alou in 2005 if he can remain healthy--something he has done in just one of his four pro seasons. He had a ligament injury in his right middle finger in 2000 and a fractured right shin in 2002. Jackson stayed in one piece until mid-August last year, when he hurt his shoulder diving for a fly ball. He has one of the best packages of tools in the system but his development has been stalled since managers named him the Florida State League's most exciting player in 2001. He has a quick bat, strength and speed, and he often gets compared to fellow University of Richmond product Brian Jordan. While Jackson started poorly in Triple-A, his production increased each month until he got injured. He needs more at-bats to make further adjustments. He still has problems with pitches on the outer half of the plate and with breaking balls, and he doesn't use the opposite field as much as he should. Jackson has enough range for center field but his arm is his weakest tool and may not be strong enough for right. He'll head back to Triple-A in 2005, where he could be flanked by David Kelton and Jason Dubois in the Iowa outfield.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #5 prospect in 2003
  Since signing, Jackson has been fully healthy for only the 2001 season--when managers rated him the most exciting player in the high Class A Florida State League. In his draft year of 2000, he had a ligament injury in his right middle finger. Last season he fouled two pitches off his right leg, fracturing his right shin, and didn't play after May 11. Jackson is athletic in the mold of fellow University of Richmond product Brian Jordan. He hits for average and power, runs well and can play all three outfield positions capably. His worst tool is probably his arm, but it's solid average and doesn't keep him from projecting as a right fielder. Jackson lost a year of development. He tried to make up at-bats in the Mexican Pacific League this winter, but tweaked a hamstring and left at mid-season. He's still refining his plate discipline. With several outfielders pushing their way up from high Class A, Jackson could begin 2003 in Triple-A. The Cubs expect him to reach the majors at some point in 2004, and he could make it easy to decline Moises Alou's $11.5 million option for 2005.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #7 prospect in 2002
  Jackson slid in the 2000 draft because a ligament problem in the middle finger of his right hand cost him half the college season. The Cubs had an abundance of outfielders at low Class A Lansing in 2001, so they skipped Jackson to high Class A Daytona. Managers named him the Florida State League's most exciting player, and he led the league in hits. Jackson is an athletic outfielder in the mold of former Spiders product Brian Jordan. Daytona batting coach Richie Zisk showed him how to hit with backspin, and Jackson responded by driving balls all over the park. He has a quick bat and hits with authority against lefthanders. He runs well and could play center field, though he projects as a big league right fielder. Jackson's worst tool is his arm, which is average. He'll need to tighten his strike zone against more experienced pitchers. About two seasons away from the majors, Jackson is destined for Double-A in 2002. Corey Patterson and Sammy Sosa have two outfield spots nailed down for the long term in Chicago, so Jackson will eventually have to compete with David Kelton for left field if Kelton can't handle third base.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #30 prospect in 2001
  If Jackson realizes his potential, he could emerge as a right fielder in the mold of fellow University of Richmond product Brian Jordan. The Cubs took Jackson with a draft pick they received as compensation from the Devil Rays for free agent Steve Trachsel, and he might not have been available that late had he been healthy in the spring. Jackson injured the middle finger on his right hand while playing in the Cape Cod League in 1999. It was repeatedly misdiagnosed as a sprain before doctors discovered that a ligament had pulled away from the bone. Jackson had surgery last February and missed 29 of the Spiders' 54 games. In his pro debut, he showed his athleticism by leading the Northwest League in triples and stealing 25 bases in 28 attempts. He'll need to tighten his strike zone, but he does have a quick bat and should develop some home run power. He's a 55 runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, and he has a solid average arm. Chicago is considering skipping Jackson a level and sending him to high Class A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida State League #4 prospect in 2001
  Jackson would have been more than a third-round pick in the 2000 draft if a finger injury hadn't interrupted his junior season. He emerged in Daytona as a polished prospect and earned distinction as the FSL's most exciting player. Trembley credits Daytona hitting coach Richie Zisk for helping Jackson adjust his swing to create backspin on the ball. Jackson's power output rose from six homers in 74 games in 2000 to 19 in 131 contests this year despite bypassing low Class A and playing in the FSL's spacious ballparks. "Nic wants to get better and he's receptive to instruction," Trembley said. "You don't have to remind him to play the game." Jackson's slightly below-average arm is the only tool standing between him and a five-tool profile. He has a chiseled physique with less than 2 percent body fat. "The thing I like about him is he's a slender, tall kid who will put on weight," Bradshaw said. "I think he's definitely a major leaguer."
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  Ranked Northwest League #18 prospect in 2000
  Jackson was the most polished member of a talented trio of Eugene outfielders that included two early picks from the 1999 draft, Condor Cash and Mike Mallory. Shrugging off a wrist injury that kept him out much of the spring for the University of Richmond, Jackson helped lead Eugene into the playoffs. "He's got a pretty good swing, and though he's an average runner he showed a feel for stealing bases," Kotchman said. "He's got a solid-average arm for right field, maybe a tick above for left."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #100 prospect in 2003
• Ranked Baseball America's #68 prospect in 2002

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Jackson was the most polished member of a talented trio of Eugene outfielders that included two early picks from the 1999 draft, Condor Cash and Mike Mallory. Shrugging off a wrist injury that kept him out much of the spring for the University of Richmond, Jackson helped lead Eugene into the playoffs. "He's got a pretty good swing, and though he's an average runner he showed a feel for stealing bases," Kotchman said. "He's got a solid-average arm for right field, maybe a tick above for left."