Jackson Still Has Support

Manager Jim Tracy was on his soapbox, making an impassioned plea for everyone to exercise patience in evaluating Edwin Jackson, the top pitching prospect in the Dodger farm system the last several years.

Jackson is 3-6 with a dreadful 8.08 earned-run average at triple-A Las Vegas, but Tracy pointed out that the hard-throwing right-hander advanced through the minor leagues very quickly.

“To say that his stock is falling is totally ludicrous,” he said. “We’re talking about a kid who is just 22 years old.”

Even Tracy views Jackson as older than he is: The right-hander, who made his major league debut in 2003 by out-dueling Randy Johnson, actually is 21.

That makes him four years younger than Dodger rookie right-hander D.J. Houlton and three years younger than rookie left-hander Derek Thompson.

In fact, Jackson is all of six days older than Tennessee pitcher Luke Hochevar, the Dodgers’ first pick in the first-year player draft this week.

So should the Dodgers send Jackson to double-A Jacksonville, as they are seriously considering doing, it doesn’t mean they would be giving up on him. They would be removing him from the unforgiving hitter’s paradise at Las Vegas and placing him in an environment where he would be rewarded for making good pitches.

He also would be surrounded by top prospects about his age. Jacksonville is the current home of catcher Russell Martin, first baseman James Loney, second baseman Delwyn Young and shortstop Joel Guzman -- all of whom are on the 40-man roster and the fast track to the major leagues.

Third baseman Andy LaRoche, whose 20 home runs rank second in the minor leagues, is expected to be promoted to Jacksonville from Class-A Vero Beach after the Florida State League All-Star game on June 18.

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More than half the Dodger draft picks were pitchers, including seven of the first 10 players they chose.

The team took 28 high school players and 23 college players, which bucks the “Moneyball” philosophy of drafting college players.

However, many of the high school players aren’t expected to sign. Dodger scouting director Logan White said he expects to sign only 15 to 18 of the 51 players the team drafted because the farm system already is well-stocked.

The Dodgers picked left-handed pitcher Jake Debus, the nephew of bullpen coach Jon Debus, in the 39th round. The sons of two other Dodger coaches, Tim Wallach and John Shelby, also were drafted. Catcher Matthew Wallach was taken in the 23rd round by the New York Yankees and outfielder Jeremy Shelby was taken by the San Diego Padres in the 46th round.

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The 1965 Dodger World Series championship team will be honored before tonight’s game. Shortstop Maury Wills, first basemen Wes Parker and John Werhas and outfielders Willie Davis and Lou Johnson are expected to attend.... The annual Hollywood Stars game will take place Saturday at 5:15.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Minnesota Twins, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- FSN West 2.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 31-28, Twins 35-23.

Record vs. Twins -- First regular-season meeting.

Tonight, 7:30 -- Brad Penny (3-2, 3.67) vs. Joe Mays (3-2, 3.59).

Saturday, 7 -- Derek Lowe (5-5, 3.35) vs. Carlos Silva (4-3, 3.04).

Sunday, 1 -- D.J. Houlton (1-0, 6.04) or Derek Thompson (0-0, 4.20) vs. TBA.

Tickets -- (866) 363-4377.