M’s top prospect Jackson looks to launch his pro career in Everett

Published 7:40 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2015

EVERETT — During batting practice before his first game with the Everett AquaSox, Tuesday’s Everett Cup exhibition against the Everett Merchants, Alex Jackson put on a show.

Jackson put four balls out of Everett Memorial Stadium during the display, punctuating it when his last one banged off the video board beyond the center-field wall.

It’s a sight fans of both the AquaSox and the Seattle Mariners will be hoping to see often this Northwest League season.

Jackson, the top prospect in the Mariners’ minor-league system, is the marquee name on the Sox’s roster this season, and he’s hoping to give the locals a glimpse of just what’s in store for the future 30 miles south at Safeco Field.

“It’s awesome being so close to Seattle,” Jackson said. “But at the same time, right now you have to focus on what’s at hand. I just want to go out, play hard, help my team and try to get as far as we can.”

Jackson, a 19-year-old outfielder from Escondido, Calif., was selected sixth overall by Seattle in the 2014 amateur draft. He was generally considered the best high school bat available in the draft, a stout 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed hitter capable of hitting for both average and power. A catcher at Rancho Bernardo High School, the Mariners immediately moved Jackson to the outfield so he could put his full concentration into developing his bat.

That bat is what causes scouts to drool like a Pavlovian dog. He’s universally listed as the No. 1 prospect in the Mariners system.

“He’s a really good prospect,” Everett manager Rob Mummau said. “He’s a first rounder, he has a good work ethic, and he can really swing the bat. I think he’ll have a good year.”

If recent history is an indication, the Sox can expect big things from Jackson. Seattle’s recent first-round draft picks who spent time in Everett have been sensations during their time with the Sox:

¦ In 2013, corner infielder D.J. Peterson, the Mariners’ first rounder in the 2013 draft, began his professional career with Everett and batted .312 with six homers and 27 RBI in 29 games before being promoted. He was listed by Baseball America as Seattle’s second-best prospect heading into this season.

¦ In 2012, catcher Mike Zunino was even better than Peterson. The 2012 first rounder also began his pro career with the Sox, and in 29 games he batted an astonishing .373 with 10 homers and 35 RBI. He already has nearly 250 major-league games under his belt.

The expectations for Jackson won’t be to replicate the numbers produced by his fellow first rounders while in Everett. At 19 Jackson is still young for the Northwest League, while Zunino and Peterson were more seasoned players when they were with the Sox, having spent three years in college. But Everett is still looking for good things from Jackson.

“(The fans) are going to see a guy who can really swing the bat,” Mummau said. “He just needs to be himself, have fun, be confident, go out there and play hard.”

Despite his pedigree, Jackson’s 2015 season hasn’t been smooth sailing so far. Jackson, after batting .280 in 23 games last season with Peoria of the rookie Arizona League in his first taste of pro ball, began this season with Clinton of the mid single-A Midwest League, which is one step higher than Everett. However, he struggled mightily during his short stint with the LumberKings. In 28 games Jackson batted a mere .157, hitting no homers and striking out 35 times. In mid May he was returned to Seattle’s extended spring training in Peoria.

However, Jackson doesn’t speak negatively of his time with Clinton, instead choosing to derive value from his time with the LumberKings

“Things went well,” Jackson said. “It was a lot different from what I’m used to playing in. That was definitely a very good experience.

“You know what, I wasn’t (surprised by the jump in level),” Jackson added. “Jumps in this and that and different leagues, yeah it’s great. But at the same time you just want to get out and play and have fun. That’s No. 1. If you’re helping your team win, having fun and giving it all you’ve got, that’s all that matters.”

Now with the Sox, Jackson has the opportunity to hit the reset button on his season. He’s ticketed to play regularly in right field for Everett, and he’s expected to slot right into the middle of Everett’s batting order.

“Everything feels good with my swing,” Jackson said. “The swing always feels good. Some days you have a little rougher day than others, but you have to stick with it.

“I just want to have fun, play hard and just enjoy it,” Jackson added. “You can’t really beat playing baseball every day, it’s what we love to do. When you get to enjoy it with your coaches and teammates it makes it that much better.”

Jackson, the Sox and the Mariners all hope Jackson’s performance with Everett launches him on his way to the big leagues.

“I think he can be a good player (in the future),” Mummau said. “He can be a middle-of-the-order bat, and it all starts here.”