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BP Annual Player Comments

Year		Comment
2007		Jackson played everywhere but first and catcher last year. As last-man utility types go, he`s an odd sort. He has more power than most speed guys, and more speed than the power guys, all without having much power or speed. He`s sort of the other choice for your in-flight meal--if you`re asked `chicken or pasta,` and you somehow wind up with inedible tofu that tastes vaguely like peanut butter and wallpaper glue, you`ve got the Damian Jackson Special. It isn`t like anything else, and you have to wonder how you got so lucky. Naturally, the Dodgers couldn`t resist and signed him to a minor league deal.
2006		Jackson did a nice job resurrecting his major league career in 2005, filling in for Mark Loretta at second in May. He quickly tapered off after a hot start, but still played solid defense in the infield and outfield corners, ran the bases well, and showed some patience at the plate. He`s got a utility job in Washington lined up for 2006.
2004		It was hoped that Jackson would be able to provide a platoon option at second base, but he did not hit at all. His 2003 value was that he played a better keystone than Walker, a trait he shares with several million other mammals. His versatility keeps him around, but it's hard to see what he does that Crespo couldn't do better and cheaper. The Sox wisely non-tendered him. Signed with the Rockies, where he'll battle Benji Gil for a utility job.
2003		Released by the Tigers in November, Jackson was snarfed by the Red Sox and should be a serviceable utility infielder behind Todd “Stonehands” Walker. Among all the typical flaws of middle infielders, lack of willingness to take a walk has never been Jackson’s problem. An excellent basestealer and baserunner as well as a capable bunter, Jackson has usually hit lefties well, making him a nifty spare part and backup to Walker.
2002		It was another disappointing season for Jackson, who was dropped from leadoff to the bottom of the order as the Padres jelled. Jackson is a good second baseman with especially impressive range, a great base stealer, and has some theoretical on-base skills that he needs to turn into reality to have a career. He re-signed with the team for 2002 and is expected to back up the next guy at second base, now that Ramon Vazquez is on board to play shortstop.
2001		A below-average arm victimizes Damian Jackson at shortstop; he has to hurry everything, and that trashes his technique and leads to errors in bunches. After failing another audition at shortstop in 2000, it appears Jackson will have a new lease on life with the Padres as the starting second baseman in 2001. His defense at second base looked at least adequate, and his relatively small contract is just what the Padres want in the infield in 2001.
2000		Everything broke his way, and he did nothing with the opportunity. Jackson is one of those obviously talented players who has a heartbreaking habit of making the hard look easy...and the easy look hard. His range is excellent at shortstop, and his tendency to muff the easy play is extraordinary. He won’t likely get another chance like last year’s.
1999		Heavily-hyped Indians prospect who simply collapsed in his third year of Triple-A. Maybe he was just depressed about returning to Indianapolis. If either Larkin or Boone are still around, Pokey Reese is ahead of him, which would probably depress me too.
1998		Enrique Wilson ran Jackson out of the Cleveland system as part of the John Smiley dump. He’s better than Pokey Reese, and about even with Eric Owens as a second baseman. Assuming Larkin is healthy and a Red, there’s only room for one of these guys, and Jackson’s unlikely to be the one.
1997		The Indians have begun looking at moving him to second, although he has been an excellent, if error-prone, shortstop. His power is growing with age. If the Indians have the courage to hand him the job at second, hats off to them.
1996		Got hot in early 1994 and picked up a prospect label. A very fast player, he's got great range and terrible hands, racking up 90 errors in his two years in Canton. If he can learn to make better contact, and hold on to the balls he reaches, he could threaten Vizquel's position. But I wouldn't count on it happening this year. And in future years, he might have to hold back Enrique Wilson, who starred at SS for Kinston this year.

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