Former Cal baseball player Brett Jackson made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, going 2-4 with two singles, a walk and a run in the Cubs’ 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The fourth-highest draft pick in Cal baseball history, Cubs fans have been awaiting Jackson’s debut since he was drafted 31st overall in 2009. Batting second and playing center field, he recorded his first major league hit off Dodgers pitcher Joe Blanton in the third inning.
Several former Cal baseball players are currently playing in the majors, including Allen Craig, Brandon Morrow and Conor Jackson. But in spite of producing a number of contributors at the major league level, Cal hasn’t produced a high-impact everyday player since Jeff Kent. The Cubs outfielder will be an everyday contributer on the 5th place Cubs, and he is considered an important cog in their rebuilding efforts.
Jackson will have to cut down on his strikeouts to succeed at the major league level, as the 24-year-old recorded 158 strikeouts in 407 at bats in AAA. But his 15 home runs and 27 steals in the minors are testament to his potent combination of power and speed.
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