#2. Austin Jackson, OF
Position: OF Full Name: Austin J. Jackson
Born: February 1, 1987 Denton,Texas
Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Bats: R Throws: R
High School: Ryan (Denton,TX)

Austin Jackson was an 8th round draft pick out of Denton (TX) high school in 2005 passing on a basketball scholarship at Georgia Tech. Austin had

a great 2007 moving to the #2 overall prospect of the New York Yankees by Baseball America. He was also rated the #2 overall propect in the

Hawaiian Winter Baseball League. Jackson is probably the best pure athlete in the Yankee farm system today.

Jackson is a 4 tool player with power being the question mark. The Yankees have been working with Austin and making swing changes during the 2007 campaign. He seems to project 20-25 home runs per year at this point. He has significant opposite-field power, which should keep his line drive rate and batting average up. Jackson does take walks but has a tendency to strike out too much. Jackson plays the outfield extremely well; center field is most likely his best fit.

Austin Jackson should start the season in AA Trenton before moving to AAA. 2009 looks like the most realistic date for the emergence of Austin Jackson in Yankee Stadium. However, an injury among the aging Yankee outfielders could get Austin a callup during the 2008 season. And if he does get the call, he may never go back.