Austin Jackson v. Peter Bourjos

[West]

I think we should insert Dexter Fowler and Jose Tabata into this conversation as these two are similar bounceback players that I'll be targeting around the same point in the draft.

[West]

I rank them:

Bourjos
Tabata
Jackson
Fowler

[J35J]

And then add in Lorenzo Cain, Alejandro De Aza, Alex Presley, Coco Crisp and Michael Brantley to the list and we are really having some fun then.

[GardnerRunsRampant]

Melky Cabrera - 5 category player, with HR slightly below average
Austin Jackson - great in Runs, SB
Coco Crisp - elite SB
Jose Tabata - above average R, +SB, above average AVG
Peter Bourjos - slightly above average R, great in SB, similar HR potential as Melky
Dexter Fowler - great in R, good SB - spring training reports have been great, he trained with Tulo and Giambi this offseason
Alejandro De Aza - See Cain note below, slightly better in all 5 categories
Michael Brantley - slightly below average R,AVG, good SB numbers
Lorenzo Cain/Alex Presley - ok SB, AVG - awful in other 3 categories

I have Melky Cabrera ranked 67th among hitters for what it's worth. He's head and shoulders above this group. Obviously the thing about most of the players below him to think about is "Can my team suffer the hit to RBI, HR by taking on this player?" As far as break out potential, I wouldn't be surprised if Bourjos or Fowler came out on top of this group.

[West]

De Aza has to prove he can hit lefties or else he'll probably be stuck in a platoon all year.

That said, he's worth it where he's going this year in drafts.

Not sure I like Melky's chances to repeat in that SF offense. I think there will be some coming down to earth for him. I'm glad we are throwing these names out for discussion though. OF is crazy shallow this year.

[Ender]

Angel Pagan kinda fits in this category as well. There are a ton of mediocre power, decent SB guys that can be had late in drafts this year in the OF.

[jlm53089]

I will take Austin Jackson...

Sure he strikes out a lot. But I will take the 90+ runs and 20 SBs as my 4th OF all day.

Get some BB and than we are talking a guy who can have a .340 obp and 30 SBs with close to 100 runs... not bad if you ask me.

[Ender]

I think I like jackson the least of them myself. He isn't much more than a 25 SB threat and he is a real threat to hit .250 or under. I'll go with someone like Fowler or Bourjus who have upside outside of the SB and R.

[West]

Before I looked at the numbers I thought Bourjos had a better plate approach than Austin Jackson. As far as K:BB goes they are basically the same. If Jackson hold onto the leadoff role he could pay big dividends with Detroit's offense.
I'm amazed at the amount of SB's available late. Power is an incredibly scarce commodity this year which is making guys like Uggla, Stanton and Bruce more available than in previous years. It's also making 3 category power/speed guys like Stubbs and CB Young more valuable. I can't stand owning them though. Stubbs will bat .220 all year and then have one hot month.