Mariners News: Drew Jackson Named Northwest League MVP

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It has been a bleak season for the Seattle Mariners and their fans. The M’s are an unmitigated disaster, currently 9 games back of the American League West leading Houston Astros with less than a month to play. The farm has been equally as disappointing. Many of the M’s top prospects have regressed significantly this season.

The exception was Drew Jackson of the Everett AquaSox. The 22-year-old shortstop has been named the Northwest League Most Valuable Player. The Everett AquaSox play their home games in Everett, WA, and are the Mariners’ short-season class A affiliate.

Jackson was phenomenal this season, hitting .358 with 2 home runs, 26 RBI and 47 stolen bases across 59 games with the Sox. The young shortstop registered a .432 on base percentage and slugged .447. His 35:30 strikeout to walk ratio through 266 plate appearances is ideal.

Jackson is also very adept defensively. The Stanford alum posted a .955 fielding percentage and registered a 4.14 range factor per 9 innings. Both of these figures were well above average for shortstops in the Northwest League.

The Mariners drafted Drew Jackson in the 5th round out of Stanford University this past June. Jackson’s remarkable season with Everett surpassed even the loftiest of hopes. He was a superb defender up the middle in college, but struggled with the bat. Jackson posted a .243 average with 0 home runs, 17 RBI and 13 stolen bases through 3 seasons with the Cardinals.

I was lucky enough to get a first hand glimpse of Drew Jackson’s talent this summer. I came away extremely impressed with Jackson. He showed great maturity at the plate, working counts like a veteran en route to finishing 2 for 4 with a double. Jackson’s speed is jaw dropping, and he swiped a pair of bags during the game I saw in Vancouver, BC. Defensively, he made difficult plays look routine, and showcased elite arm strength.

Jackson is currently not ranked as a top 30 prospect according to MLB.com, but that should change this offseason. I expect Drew to begin next season in Clinton with the LumberKings before earning a promotion to Bakersfield midway through the season. Fans could potentially see Jackson don a Mariners’ uniform during the 2017 season, but 2018 seems more realistic.

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The AquaSox had a very successful season in 2015, and Drew Jackson was not the only member of the squad to receive recognition. Braden Bishop was named to the NWL Post-Season All-Star team. The 22-year-old center fielder hit .320 with 2 home runs, 22 RBI and 13 stolen bases across 56 games. He went to school at the University of Washington, and MLB.com lists Bishop as the Mariners’ 13th best prospect.

Everett skipper Rob Mummau took home the hardware for Manager of the Year. This is the second time Mummau has won the prestigious award. The Sox went 42-34 this season, earning a share of the Northwest League Southern Division title. The AquaSox were eliminated from the playoffs this week, but they can hold their heads high knowing they were the most successful Mariners’ affiliate in 2015.

Next: Zunino Heading to Instructional League

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