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Jackson, a sophomore outfielder from California who led the Loggers with a .343 batting average in 42 games this summer, said he has been assigned to Cotuit (Mass.) of the Cape Cod League by his college coaching staff.
“I didn’t really have a say in the decision,” Jackson said. “That’s not to say I’m not excited to go to the Cape, but it’s tough not going back to
La Crosse. I’m a little sad about what I’m leaving behind there.”
Jackson came to the Loggers following an up-and-down freshman season at Cal. He batted .230 in 43 games.
But Jackson responded to the grind of summer baseball and emerged as one of La Crosse’s top producers, finishing with a .343 average, .460 on-base percentage, two homers, nine stolen bases and 15 RBI before leaving the team Aug. 3 with strained tendons behind his right knee.
“It was great for my game and for my confidence as a player,” Jackson said. “The environment in La Crosse—the fans, my teammates—it pushed me to really improve.”
Jackson is the fifth player in Loggers history to move on to the Cape Cod League, which is acknowledged as the top summer college league in the country.
Pitchers Max Scherzer and Cal Stanke (2004), infielder Jordan Pacheco (2005) and infielder Nick Romero (2006) all moved on to Cape Cod League teams following successful summers in La Crosse.
“Brett totally played himself into some recognition from all over the country,” Loggers general manager Chris Goodell said. “Let’s be honest, the Cape, they watch our league and if they see a freshman do well they want to jump in and take him. Brett has a big future ahead of him.”
Jackson’s departure leaves second baseman Justin Toole as the only position player with a realistic chance of being in the Loggers’ 2008 opening day lineup.
Goodell said he was prepared to see Jackson leave based on his breakout summer in La Crosse.
“We knew he was getting calls from the Cape and we would have loved to have him back, absolutely, but this is part of the business right now,” Goodell said.
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