Prospect Spotlight: Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero

When the largest payroll in baseball starts to develop players instead of buying them, the rest of the major league front offices have reason to fear. Jackson and Montero are the two offensive highlights of the Yankee farm system.

Austin Jackson is an athletic center fielder in the Bernie Williams mold, who could make for a nice number-three hitter one day.  He really does not have any weakness in his game offensively or defensively.  Jackson works counts well, showing outstanding patience and great knowledge of the strike zone.

Jackson's value as a prospect is entirely contingent on his ability to stay in center field.  His glove work is stellar, however there are questions concerning a drop in speed from 2007 to the 2008 season.  His bat is above average only for a center fielder, and it does not profile well when placed in a corner.

One of the most feared bats in all of Minor League Baseball is the hulking catching prospect Jesus Montero.  With outstanding power with no real weakness as a hitter, Montero projects to be a middle of the order run producer on a championship caliber club.  His bat is as elite as it gets in the minors, and is as close to a sure thing as a 19-20 year old gets.

Montero is currently listed as a catcher, but will likely slide to left field or first base.  Defensive struggles plagued him in the South Atlantic League.  It did not help his case that fellow Charleston River Dog catcher Austin Romine is one of the best defensive catchers you will ever see at that level.  Even with his defensive struggles one thing is for sure on Montero, no matter what the position is that bat will play.

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