Tiger fans have apparently developed this habit of seeking a player to pick on. Early this season, it was a slumping Ryan Raburn. Then it was Brandon Inge, who wasn't hitting a lick.
They got their wish with Inge. He is at Toledo (he is hitting .304 with two home runs, six RBI and an OPS of 1.081 since being designated for assignment). They didn't with Raburn, but he has come around at the plate. Wednesday, his eighth-inning home run provided the eventual winning run in the Tigers' 5-4 victory over the Rangers. Since June 29, Raburn is hitting .327 with four home runs and eight RBI in 58 at bats.
Now, it seems, as if Austin Jackson is the player on the hot seat. The Tigers' center fielder got off to a horrible start this season (.181 in the first month), then came around to a degree, hurt his wrist, missed some time and has scuffled upon his return. More and more I'm getting calls on my radio show, "Austin Jackson is (fill in the over-reactive criticism)
Is Jackson an ideal leadoff hitter? Not at this point. Way too many strikeouts, not enough walks.
His batting average is considerably below last season - .247 compared to .293 when I voted for him for American League Rookie of the Year. To top it off, Curtis Granderson, the player traded to the Yankees for Jackson, is having a monster season.
But Jackson is a completely different case than Inge or Raburn. He isn't a veteran player signed to an overblown contract as his career appears to be waning - like Inge. He won't be arbitration eligible until after next season. He isn't a utility player with a questionable glove in his late 20s and early 30s, once considered to be a 4-A player, the Tigers gave an unexpected two-year contract - like Raburn.
He is a decidedly above-average defensive player at a premium position with the Tigers' only real element of speed. He is 24 years old. Yet, already, he has shown his ability to grind through the season and survive slumps, and a willingness to play when hurt. Jackson's .247 batting average isn't that far below the major league average of .254. He is not having a good season, but it isn't that bad.
There is a relatively high probability Jackson is going to be a very good major league player for a long period, that he is just going through growing pains young players inevitably do.
I don't believe he deserves scapegoat status from a growing number of overzealous Tigers' fans.