Either/Or: Brett Jackson vs. Ryan Kalish

by John Sickels on Sep 8, 2025 9:00 AM EDT Comment 37 comments

24 days ago: Boston Red Sox's Ryan Kalish points as he trots to the plate after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park in Boston Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

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I 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).

Poll

Brett Jackson or Ryan Kalish?

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Read More: Brett Jackson (CF - CHC), Ryan Kalish (LF - BOS), Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs

Comments

Brett Jackson for his defense in CF

Kalish should be able to handle CF, but Jackson is a plus defender there.

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Sep 8, 2025 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

voted Jackson for the same reason

Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson

by gore51 on Sep 8, 2025 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

although its close

and I love what Ryan Kalish brings to the table

Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson

by gore51 on Sep 8, 2025 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Me too

Buster Posey>
"Screw it, Redbull time"-Brian Wilson

by Gobroks on Sep 8, 2025 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

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.

by Havok1517 on Sep 8, 2025 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

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.

Who loves orange soda?

by Kenan and Kel on Sep 8, 2025 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

For the record

That’s not Ryan Kalish in the photo. AP mislabeled it.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Sep 8, 2025 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

hermida right?

Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson

by gore51 on Sep 8, 2025 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

looks kinda like Baldelli actully

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by bestbostonsports on Sep 8, 2025 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

by BoldandBrash on Sep 8, 2025 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

AP

AP. Arggg.

will fix.

by John Sickels on Sep 8, 2025 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

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.

"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
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by bestbostonsports on Sep 8, 2025 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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by RedHopeful on Sep 8, 2025 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

That is not necessarily a reason to vote him as the better player

(not trying to be rude)

by lions1 on Sep 8, 2025 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

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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by RedHopeful on Sep 9, 2025 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions

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

by Satchel Price on Sep 8, 2025 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

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, 2025 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.

by Jayfan34 on Sep 8, 2025 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I get the Patterson and Pie comparisons.

Could you explain why Colvin is included?

Looking foward to the next wave of talent

by Rossy on Sep 8, 2025 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

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)

by Jayfan34 on Sep 8, 2025 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

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

by Rossy on Sep 8, 2025 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

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.

by Jayfan34 on Sep 8, 2025 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

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, 2025 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.

by SenorGato on Sep 8, 2025 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

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…

by Ophidian on Sep 9, 2025 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

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, 2025 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

by BoldandBrash on Sep 8, 2025 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

It shouldn't be.

by slamcactus on Sep 9, 2025 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

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.

by toonsterwu on Sep 8, 2025 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

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.

by SenorGato on Sep 9, 2025 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

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.

by toonsterwu on Sep 9, 2025 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

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.

by slamcactus on Sep 9, 2025 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Mike Cameron offensively, that is...

nowhere near that level defensively.

by slamcactus on Sep 9, 2025 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Cameron...

had more speed than both Kalish and Jackson even though Cameron didn’t turn that speed on until he was 23.

by Havok1517 on Sep 9, 2025 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

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.

by slamcactus on Sep 10, 2025 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

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.

by killa on Sep 8, 2025 9:54 PM EDT reply actions