TRENTON – Outfielders Austin Jackson and Jose Tabata came into the 2008 season ranked as the second and third-best prospects in the Yankees organization by Baseball America, and entered the season as teammates with the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees Double-A affiliate.
As the season progressed, Tabata struggled mightily for the first six weeks or so, was embroiled in controversy for going AWOL from a game, and eventually was traded to the Pirates in the Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte trade.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Jackson quietly put up strong numbers month after month, and finished the season with a .285 batting average, nine home runs, 69 runs batted in and 19 stolen bases. In the process, the Denton, Texas native has cemented himself as the top prospect in the Yankees’ farm system.
“I think he’s the top athlete in the Yankee organization, as far as being advanced and being ready to play in the big leagues,” a scout said. “He’s an athletic kid, he can run and throw, and he’s got a chance to hit for power. He’s not going to be a huge power guy, but enough to put some numbers up.”
When asked what player came to mind when he watched Jackson play, he referenced another young outfielder that’s come up through the minor leagues in New York in recent years.
“(Lastings) Milledge is the first guy that popped into my head,” the scout said. “I think they’re in the same kind of mold.
“(Jackson) has a chance to be a five-tool player. I think they’re very comparable. Milledge was always pretty much untouchable until they got rid of him, and I don’t think that was based on ability – I think it was because of everything else along with it.”
After having Jackson in the Eastern League playoffs last season, Franklin has had Jackson manning center field and hitting third in the order all season long. After getting to watch him for 140-plus games, Franklin said he likes what he sees.
“Improvement, improvement, improvement,” Franklin said in summarizing Jackson’s season in Trenton. “He’s made some adjustments with his swing, which has allowed him to improve his average and lay off some pitches that are out of the strike zone which most young guys would chase.
“Anytime you have prospects that are highly talked about the majority of the time and put numbers up, you’ve got yourself a good one, and I think we’ve got ourselves a very good one.”
One thing the scout pointed to was Jackson’s ability to improve throughout the season, something scouts key in on when watching players.
“He starts out each year slowly because he’s a young kid, and then he catches up as the year goes along, which shows improvement. That’s what you’re looking for when it to comes to prospects.”
After a productive season in Double-A, Jackson likely will be bumped up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre next season. Nevertheless, the scout said he didn’t think it was out of the question Jackson could find himself in The Bronx as soon as next April.
“If you want to make sure he’s ready, that’s probably the plan,” the scout said of moving Jackson up to Triple-A next season. “But with the Yankees need for a center fielder, if he has a hell of a spring training, he could make the club.”
tbontemps@nypost.com