MLB Draft: Seattle Mariners select Rancho Bernardo High’s Jackson with 6th overall pick
By Michael Bower
Alex Jackson emerged from the front door of his home in Escondido wearing shorts, a shirt and sunglasses. Then moments later arrived the key piece of apparel -- a Seattle Mariners hat.
The Rancho Bernardo High right-handed, power-hitting catcher/outfielder became the highest player drafted out of the school in the last 19 years Thursday, as he was selected by the Mariners with the sixth overall pick of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
“It is one of those things where it has been a dream my whole life to play professional baseball and it is at that point where it is looking very possible in the future,” said Jackson, who was with close family in his home when he was selected by Seattle at around 4:45 p.m. Thursday. “Right now, I am just ecstatic and feel truly blessed and honored.”
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Jackson, who many scouts deemed as the top hitter available in this year’s draft, was the second catcher selected and second player picked out of San Diego County.
Cathedral Catholic left-handed pitcher Brady Aiken went to the Houston Astros with the No. 1 overall pick and University of Indiana catcher Kyle Schwarber was picked by the Chicago Cubs with the No. 4 overall pick.
Jackson, who was watching the draft on television, said he tried to enjoy the moment as much as possible while waiting for his name to be called.
“It was fun and at the same time a little nerve wracking,” said Jackson, 18. “But it is one of those things that you have to enjoy the moment that you are sharing with your family and have fun. When my name was called it was a sigh of relief almost. It was amazing.”
Jackson signed a scholarship with the University of Oregon earlier this year and has until July 18 to decide whether to sign with the Mariners instead of joining the Ducks. The slot value assigned to the No. 6 pick is $3,575,900.
“It would be an honor to play for the Seattle organization,” Jackson said. “It is one of those things that if everything lines up right that could come true. I just feel truly blessed they took the time to come out and watch me play.”
Should Jackson opt to sign with Seattle, his future in the organization could be at catcher or in the outfield. He played all four seasons for the Broncos behind the plate, but runs well enough to play a corner-outfield position should the Mariners want to go that direction.
Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said Jackson would be put in the outfield once he signs, but did not completely rule out him playing catcher. Jackson’s all-time favorite Mariner was an outfielder.
“Ken Griffey Jr. without a doubt is my favorite,” Jackson said. “That guy was the man.”
The real prize with Jackson, who was named the Palomar League Player of the Year this season, is his above-average arm and above-average power. He wrapped up his four-year prep career tied at the top of the all-time San Diego Section home run list with 47.
He is known around the county for his majestic shots, including one this season to left-center field that went over the bleachers and onto the football field at Poway High.
Jackson, who hit .400 with 11 home runs his senior year, has been heavily scouted since his freshman season at Rancho Bernardo.
He has played in some of the most prestigious prep games, including the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park and the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field. He shined as a junior and senior at the Area Code Games in Long Beach.
Jackson is the 24th player in the history of Rancho Bernardo High selected in the draft and the eighth to go in the first round. His selection as sixth overall matches the highest draft pick in the history of the school, as former Bronco Jaime Jones was selected sixth overall by the Marlins in 1995.
“All the guys drafted before me (from RB) are just amazing,” Jackson said. “It is just one of those things you have to enjoy being in that category. It is a dream come true.”