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PCL: Jackson in no rush to greatness
The disciplined star in the making is content to work on his game with the Sidewinders for now.
KEN BRAZZLE
Tucson Citizen
Conor Jackson, one of three future major league stars profiled this week, will sign a special Citizen poster between 6 and 6:15 p.m. today on the third-base side of TEP.
Conor Jackson majored in theater at California, but he doesn't relish the thought of acting for a living.
"It's so boring," said the Tucson Sidewinders' first baseman-outfielder, whose father, John, played Adm. A.J. Chegwidden on the television series "JAG." "Maybe in the future, when baseball is done, I'll pursue it. Right now I am not even thinking about it."
The critics have yet to grade his acting, but Jackson is earning rave reviews for his baseball skills. He has risen to Triple-A in just his third season in professional baseball, hitting over .300 at each minor league stopover.
Jackson is close to making it to the big leagues, with Baseball America ranking him as the No. 2 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization.
He was recently named to the Pacific Coast League's All-Star team in just his first season in Triple-A. Jackson and Albuquerque catcher Josh Willingham led the PCL by being named on 84 percent of the ballots.
Jackson is second in the PCL with a .372 average and ranks fourth in the league with 59 runs batted in. Jackson leads the Sidewinders in six offensive categories.
"He has the plate discipline and the ability to battle with two strikes," Sidewinders manager Chip Hale said. "His bat is pretty close to being ready to play in the big leagues. That's a big step."
Jackson credits his dad and Cal head coach David Esquer for his development.
"He (dad) would always turn a negative day into a positive one," Jackson said. "My college coach taught me baseball because I knew nothing about the game coming out of high school. I don't think most players really do."
Jackson played football, soccer and baseball in high school but started to concentrate on baseball as a junior and senior. He chose Cal after several scholarship offers but was in for a shock.
"You go to college, and you're at the bottom of the pool again," Jackson said. "I had a very poor year my freshman year. It opened my eyes up to, if this baseball thing doesn't go out, what shall I do?
"That's why I chose to go to Berkeley, because coming out of there with an education is an honor for me. You can pretty much get a job anywhere you want."
But Jackson was determined to make it as a major league player. He was all-Pac-10 and a top prospect his junior year. The Diamondbacks selected him 19th overall in the June 2003 amateur draft.
"My sophomore year in college is where I pushed myself and got my work ethics down," Jackson said. "I don't think I would have ever made it if I signed out of high school. It was an ego thing. I am glad I chose college.
"Physically and mentally, I don't think I could've handled it coming out of high school," he added. "If I could talk to any high school players about that, I would tell them to go to college in a heartbeat.
"All these professional scouts tell you what you want to hear, but they don't tell you about the grind. That's tough."
Jackson has proved he can handle the bat. The next question is his defense and whether he can cut it as a first baseman or as an outfielder. He played third base in college.
"Defensively, he's working very hard and getting better at first base," Hale said. "When he has gotten his opportunities in the outfield, he has done a good job."
Jackson is content where he is for now. Chad Tracy and Tony Clark are sharing first-base duties for the D'backs, who also have an ample supply of outfielders. Jackson may not be called up until September, barring injuries.
"I know it's based on performance and a need for you," Jackson said. "I am fine being here. I am pretty sure I am going to stay here all year, and it doesn't bother me at all. I know I am going to get my shot. I am only 23 years old. I am a young man.
"I am sure they don't want to rush me, and I don't want to be rushed."
The disciplined star in the making is content to work on his game with the Sidewinders for now.
KEN BRAZZLE
Tucson Citizen
Conor Jackson, one of three future major league stars profiled this week, will sign a special Citizen poster between 6 and 6:15 p.m. today on the third-base side of TEP.
Conor Jackson majored in theater at California, but he doesn't relish the thought of acting for a living.
"It's so boring," said the Tucson Sidewinders' first baseman-outfielder, whose father, John, played Adm. A.J. Chegwidden on the television series "JAG." "Maybe in the future, when baseball is done, I'll pursue it. Right now I am not even thinking about it."
The critics have yet to grade his acting, but Jackson is earning rave reviews for his baseball skills. He has risen to Triple-A in just his third season in professional baseball, hitting over .300 at each minor league stopover.
Jackson is close to making it to the big leagues, with Baseball America ranking him as the No. 2 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization.
He was recently named to the Pacific Coast League's All-Star team in just his first season in Triple-A. Jackson and Albuquerque catcher Josh Willingham led the PCL by being named on 84 percent of the ballots.
Jackson is second in the PCL with a .372 average and ranks fourth in the league with 59 runs batted in. Jackson leads the Sidewinders in six offensive categories.
"He has the plate discipline and the ability to battle with two strikes," Sidewinders manager Chip Hale said. "His bat is pretty close to being ready to play in the big leagues. That's a big step."
Jackson credits his dad and Cal head coach David Esquer for his development.
"He (dad) would always turn a negative day into a positive one," Jackson said. "My college coach taught me baseball because I knew nothing about the game coming out of high school. I don't think most players really do."
Jackson played football, soccer and baseball in high school but started to concentrate on baseball as a junior and senior. He chose Cal after several scholarship offers but was in for a shock.
"You go to college, and you're at the bottom of the pool again," Jackson said. "I had a very poor year my freshman year. It opened my eyes up to, if this baseball thing doesn't go out, what shall I do?
"That's why I chose to go to Berkeley, because coming out of there with an education is an honor for me. You can pretty much get a job anywhere you want."
But Jackson was determined to make it as a major league player. He was all-Pac-10 and a top prospect his junior year. The Diamondbacks selected him 19th overall in the June 2003 amateur draft.
"My sophomore year in college is where I pushed myself and got my work ethics down," Jackson said. "I don't think I would have ever made it if I signed out of high school. It was an ego thing. I am glad I chose college.
"Physically and mentally, I don't think I could've handled it coming out of high school," he added. "If I could talk to any high school players about that, I would tell them to go to college in a heartbeat.
"All these professional scouts tell you what you want to hear, but they don't tell you about the grind. That's tough."
Jackson has proved he can handle the bat. The next question is his defense and whether he can cut it as a first baseman or as an outfielder. He played third base in college.
"Defensively, he's working very hard and getting better at first base," Hale said. "When he has gotten his opportunities in the outfield, he has done a good job."
Jackson is content where he is for now. Chad Tracy and Tony Clark are sharing first-base duties for the D'backs, who also have an ample supply of outfielders. Jackson may not be called up until September, barring injuries.
"I know it's based on performance and a need for you," Jackson said. "I am fine being here. I am pretty sure I am going to stay here all year, and it doesn't bother me at all. I know I am going to get my shot. I am only 23 years old. I am a young man.
"I am sure they don't want to rush me, and I don't want to be rushed."
