Either/Or: Brett Jackson vs. Ryan Kalish
by John Sickels on Sep 8, 2010 9:00 AM EDT
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PrintI am working on the Anderson/Rizzo Smackdown and hope to have it done this evening. In the meantime, here is an Either/Or for you.
If you could have Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Brett Jackson, or Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Ryan Kalish, which would you pick? They have some similar skills....speed, on-base ability, some power...Jackson had an .886 OPS this year between High-A and Double-A, Kalish was at .884 in Double-A and Triple-A. We have seen Kalish in the majors but he's also a few months older and has more professional experience, so the fact that he's ahead of Jackson on roster status doesn't mean much.
This strikes me as a difficult choice. What say you?
(NOTE: The selection of the Kalish picture is not intended to influence the vote).
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Brett Jackson for his defense in CF
Kalish should be able to handle CF, but Jackson is a plus defender there.
http://bullpenbanter.com/
although its close
and I love what Ryan Kalish brings to the table
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
Based on the eye test...
I think Kalish is a good overall player, maybe not the offensive star the Red Sox seem to employ though. I think Kalish lacks some of the upside and doesn’t have quite the athleticism of Jackson.
I don't see anybody calling Kalish an offensive star
However I do agree Jackson has more upside, due mostly to plus defense in CF. I like what Kalish can do with the bat but if he is ultimately moving to RF I think I have to side with Jackson.
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by Kenan and Kel on Sep 8, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
looks kinda like Baldelli actully
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by bestbostonsports on Sep 8, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Scutaro?
"Every night I go to bed thinking about when I’m going to play again. I dream about playing at Fenway."-Ryan Westmoreland
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
I have not seen much of Jackson playing
but I have loved what I hae seen from Kalish. Mind you, this big league stint is the first time Ive seen him, as I never have actully seen him in a minor league gae or spring training.
But I love his poise and approach at the plate. It could be better, but that wil improve. For a 22 year old kid up for the first time, I have been impressed.
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by bestbostonsports on Sep 8, 2010 12:02 PM EDT reply actions
Agreed
Kalish gets my vote because he’s a more known quantity to me and I like what I’ve seen. Besides his tools, his poise and makeup seem to be right up there. For instance with every interview he does in boston he always says the right things. Always looking toward the future and understands the importance of breeding consistency.
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That is not necessarily a reason to vote him as the better player
(not trying to be rude)
Understood
but its better than just reading a scouting report or checking boxscores on both guys much like what most naturally end up doing. From my point of view, I think it’s unlikely I’d prefer Jackson over Kalish based on personal evaluations and from what I’ve read.
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I'd take Jackson, but I can understand why someone would prefer Kalish
As others have said, Jackson’s superior defensive ability is what pushes him ahead of Kalish.
I mean, obviously you take notice when a guy puts up 31 doubles, 14 triples, 12 homers and 30 steals in his full-season debut, but it’s the strong walk rate and reasonable strikeout rate that are equally encouraging in my opinion. I remember hearing concerns about whether Jackson would make enough contact in pro ball to take advantage of his tools, and I think that his 2010 performance affirms that it won’t be a big problem.
I think they could end up being similar offensive performers, but I have a hard time seeing Kalish playing center field everyday.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
I picked Kalish, but solely because I trust the Sox’s player development more. The Cubs have not exactly had a sterling reputation of developing their outfield prospects.
sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew
by alexwithclass on Sep 8, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point, but think Jackson has a better chance because he already has plate discipline.
That is one thing the Cubs definitely don’t know how to teach looking at guys like Patterson, Pie, Colvin and Ryan Harvey.
I get the Patterson and Pie comparisons.
Could you explain why Colvin is included?
Looking foward to the next wave of talent
He’s never had an OBP higher than .336 as a pro. He’s had some success this year but don’t see an impact bat and think pitchers will figure him out(might already be starting to as his 2nd half is nowhere near as good as his fist)
I still think using Colvin as an example of the Cubs inability to develop talent is unfair.
Colvin’s had success this year and he’s not the same type of player Pie and Patterson were/are. Also, he wasn’t nearly as touted as either of them. Colvin is just growing into the type of player the Cubs saw him as. This is the first year he’s really been able to mature physically and he already took a big step foward. Having said that, I do agree that he’ll need to improve his approach. If it doesn’t, he’s a 4th OF. But it’s too soon to label him a bust in the mold Patterson and Pie.
Looking foward to the next wave of talent
I’m just using him to illustrate the one particular skill, not labelling Colvin a bust but he did have his hype as well, was not seen as the Cubs top prospect at any point but at his prospect peak the Cubs had one of if not the deepest system in MLB so he didn’t need to be #1 or 2 to have high expectations.
Actually, I’m one of the few who still thinks Pie might have a decent career. Sucked that he got hurt this year.
That's a really great point
As a Cubs fan, I try to forget that sometimes. But you’re right – the same management that failed to properly develop all the guys you mentioned is still around, sadly.
I still prefer Jackson… I think he’s a better prospect, but yeah, the Cubs have a nasty habit for retarding the development their of best prospects. Vitters, Samardzija, Cedeno, Pie, etc.
I like baseball.
I write for Beyond the Box Score and The Hardball Times Fantasy
by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
The Cubs inability to develop position players...
will slowly be dying. We’ve got a starting C, a starting SS, and personally I like Colvin as a future RF if he can improve his plate discipline…He reminds me of a young Shawn Green. The power output may seem surprising, but he was a more compact hitter with a strong swing this year.
I’ll take Jackson in this poll. Not sure who he reminds me of, but he’s been getting compared to some really good players from the past 15-20 years.
Not to be a downer, but..
There’s a ton of guys in the mid-high minors that would be awesome if they improved their plate discipline…
I agree with this
upside in both power and speed also push me towards Jackson as well. Kalish really showed a lot this year, though, and it is a close question.
by PrincetonCubs on Sep 8, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Kalish has a better SB success percentage.
Maybe that’s the tie breaker.
"Every night I go to bed thinking about when I’m going to play again. I dream about playing at Fenway."-Ryan Westmoreland
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
I'm obviously biased
no doubt about it, but i voted for Brett. I think his offensive ceiling might be even better than Kalish’s, and he has value more value than Kalish defensively. Kalish is probably a safer bet, but for now, I’ll roll with Brett.
As for Brett comps, I’ve seen
Steve Finley (I don’t understand this one, I’m not sure Brett will 100% be a “plus” centerfielder, but he should be above average, furthermore, Finley never stuck out as much and he also had a power spike in his 30’s that sorta makes you wonder)
Mike Cameron (I can sorta see this one, but I think Brett has a better batting eye and should hit for a better average, and Cameron is likely be a much better defensive player than Brett will be)
Jim Edmonds (the one I like the best, out of these three … but Edmonds had power in his 30’s (sorta makes you wonder) that I doubt Brett will ever come remotely close to)
Food for thought comp for Brett – This one may make you scratch your head a bit, but how about JD Drew. There have been some whispers of concerns on Brett’s long term future in CF (although I don’t think I’m that worried about it). Drew walked a bit more and struck out a bit less, but considering how raw Brett is, and considering how the reports on his “eye” are always fairly positive, I don’t think it is too far off to assume that he might improve his BB and K rates a bit and perhaps bring them closer to JD’s career BB and K rates. Brett probably has a bit more speed/baserunning ability right now than JD did in his prime, but as he physically matures, that might balance out.
Just a thought.
JD Drew...
would be nice. That guy was a really good player. He’s one of the guys who could do everything and make it look easy. Carlos Beltran was like that too.
I think the Grady Sizemore comparison probably works best, and I think the Edmonds one isn’t terrible.
doh
completely forgot about the Grady comparison. I’m not sure Brett will have seasons like Grady’s 2006 and 2008, particularly defensively, but yeah, that comp works.
Drew...
walked a LOT more and struck out a LOT less. Mike Cameron is a better comp for Jackson, if we can get past the mental block many people have of comparing guys to other players of different races.
Mike Cameron offensively, that is...
nowhere near that level defensively.
Cameron...
had more speed than both Kalish and Jackson even though Cameron didn’t turn that speed on until he was 23.
Cameron...
didn’t have blazing speed at all. He was more of a savvy basestealer than a burner.
Also, speed doesn’t add a ton of value. Cameron’s value was as a plus defensive CF with a solid OBP and plus power.
Close Vote...
Mine (Kalish) made it 232-231 Kalish…Wow. I’ve always liked Kalish and thought he was a bit underrated. I like what he’s proven at a higher level, and he’s started to grow into some good game power at just 22.
Oh...
I do think Kalish is one of the more underrated OF prospects. He’s got a well rounded game.
Kalish vs LHP
One strong argument in favor of Kalish is that he hits LHP well, and so is unlikely to be on of those legions of guys who do well in the minors but whose platoon split limits their ml production.
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