A great performance in Spring Training usually isn’t a big deal, but for Braves catcher Alex Jackson, it may just result in a Major League roster spot.
I wrote a little about Alex Jackson last week when I covered the top-three performers at Spring Training for the Atlanta Braves. Jackson ranked first in that piece, as he has had himself an excellent Spring thus far.
Well, it seems others have taken notice: On Thursday MLB.com released an updated version of their 2019 Opening Day 25-man roster guesses for all Major League teams.
Mark Bowman, who has covered the Braves for almost 20 years, wrote up his predictions for the Braves and went position by position, listing players that he felt had made the cut. Almost all of the players he listed were pretty much obvious choices, as we all have a decent idea ourselves.
Included in his list, he explains what has changed for each position since his last projection a month ago. And right there first on the list is the catcher position; and guess who Bowman has added?
It’s really no surprise that Alex Jackson has now been included, as not only has he tore it up this Spring; but the Braves catcher position is really somewhat of a question mark when you really think about it, and Bowman uses a word regarding the addition of Jackson that fits perfectly. Insurance.
Let me explain: The Braves currently have two catchers on the active roster that are 33 and 35-years-old in both Tyler Flowers and Brian McCann respectively. Both have had recent surgeries, with Flowers having wrist surgery in 2017 and McCann having knee surgery last year.
Not only are both of these guys coming off of injuries, but they’re both coming off of bad seasons. Tyler Flowers couldn’t hit right-handed pitching last season and Brian McCann only played 63 games in 2018, hitting barely over .200 with a .301 OBP.
Now granted, Flowers has recovered from his wrist injury two years ago and McCann’s knee is said to be fine, but neither player is a for sure thing in 2019… at least not for all of 2019.
It seems likely that the Braves will run with somewhat of a platoon with these two players, but even when disregarding their obvious weaknesses – both guys aren’t what they used to be.
Backup Backstop Plan
That’s where Alex Jackson comes in. A native of Escondido, CA, the 23-year-old whippersnapper is the Braves perfectly healthy – and currently hot – option at catcher.
So far this Spring, Alex Jackson has played in eight games and has a 1.257 OPS (.375 BA), with two home runs and a double. Coming off of a 2018 season where Jackson struck out over 30-percent of the time, he has only struck out once in his first 18 plate-appearances so far.
It’s still early and these games are meaningless, but there’s no doubt that Jackson has done something to improve. His performance could do a nosedive, but what if it doesn’t?
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What’s interesting is that during the Winter there was all of this hype focused towards the possibility of the Braves obtaining J.T. Realmuto.
When that didn’t happen the focus turned towards the young William Contreras (the unofficial future franchise catcher) and the excitement of him one day being a star for the Braves.
Even though we knew about Alex Jackson and knew of his potential, we sort of forgot about him. It’s almost like Jackson is saying “hey, don’t forget about me!”
William Contreras may be the future at catcher for the Braves, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Jackson can’t try and change that assumption.
If anything, the competition should bode well for both Jackson and Contreras, as they continue to develop.
Regardless of whether or not Alex Jackson’s excellent performance is coming from motivation, finally figuring it all out or just plain luck; what he’s been able go accomplish so far this Spring looks like it’s going to pay off for him.