Detroit's Austin Jackson Continues To Play Amazing Defense

If you are going to play center field in the very spacious Comerica Park, you better be able to cover some ground. Detroit Tigers rookie outfielder Austin Jackson has been covering that ground all year, and playing spectacular defense.

But in the last two games, Jackson has taken his defense to another level.

I wish I could show you the two catches Jackson has made over the last two games, but Major League Baseball prohibits their fans to share videos promoting their product.

Jackson made an over-the-shoulder catch in the ninth inning of the Armando Galarraga/Jim Joyce game on Wednesday night that was Willie Mays-eque. He covered so much ground to his right on that play, it was jaw-dropping.

Then Jackson was at it again on Thursday, when in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians, he tracked down a drive by Luis Valbuena, but this time to his left.

For those following Jackson all season, him making these catches and this high level of defense is nothing new. In a short period of time, Jackson has already established himself as one of the better defensive center fielders in the game.

Jackson has only made one error thus far this season, and currently ranks sixth amongst all center fielders with a 4.1 ultimate zone rating (UZR). His defense in center has been better so far than fellow outfielder standouts Torii Hunter and Adam Jones.

While Jackson’s .341 batting average will probably garner most of the headlines, it’s his defense which might win him the AL Rookie of the Year award.

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