Yankees-Tigers: Austin Jackson Makes Yankee Stadium Debut
August 16, 2010 · Jordan Schwartz · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Much of the attention will be on Johnny Damon when the Tigers open up a four-game series Monday night in the Bronx, but there’s another Detroit outfielder with something to prove this week.
Austin Jackson is set to make his Yankee Stadium debut in a Tigers uniform, not in the pinstripes many believed they’d see him wearing for many years to come when he was touted as a top prospect in New York’s farm system.
Jackson was traded to Detroit in a three-team deal last December that sent Curtis Granderson to the Bombers. Some said Granderson, who clubbed 30 homers at Comerica Park in 2009, would reach 40 blasts this season thanks to playing half his games with the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium.
Granderson has just 11 home runs in the middle of August, and while that is 10 more than Jackson has, the rookie leads the veteran in three other key statistics.
Jackson’s .303 average is 63 points higher than Granderson’s .240. Jackson’s on-base percentage is also 49 points better than Granderson’s, and he has seven more steals.
Critics have said that Jackson is getting lucky thanks to a high batting average on balls in play, but the outfielder’s average has consistently remained above .300 all season and there appears to be no drop-off in site. That despite the fact that the rookie has struck out 123 times, something he should be able to improve as he gains more experience.
And remember, Jackson is playing in his first big league season, while Granderson is in his fifth full campaign and yet he still holds a career .269 average.
In fact, Jackson could be headed for Rookie of the Year honors as he leads all American League first-year players in average, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, steals and on-base percentage.
Damon is returning to Yankee Stadium for the first time since New York passed on re-signing him this past offseason. His replacement in left field, Brett Gardner is putting up similar numbers, so there are no big regrets there.
Jackson, however, is here to show the Yankees’ front office that it made a huge mistake.
Follow me on Twitter at JordanHarrison .
Jordan Schwartz is one of Bleacher Report’s New York Yankees and College Basketball Featured Columnists. His book Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and authorhouse.com.
Jordan can be reached at jordanschwartz2003@yahoo.com
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