Conor Jackson Enjoys Move To Outfield
Posted by: Knox Bardeen in Fantasy Baseball, tags: Conor jacksonDiamondbacks first baseman left fielder, Conor Jackson, has just been named the National Leagues player of the week for July 21- July 27th and is starting to hit like a power outfielder should.
In the past month (Jackson’s played 27 games in LF) he’s batting .360/.413/.590 with five home runs, 16 RBI, a stolen base and 20 runs scored. Last week his numbers were also torrid with a .560/.607/1.120 showing with three home runs, eight RBI, a stolen base, and nine runs scored.
Jackson’s new found position eligibilty can help most fantasy rosters just as much as his hot streak will. But, you’ve probably waited too long to attempt to trade for him as any owner will probably ask for current value in return, which is surely too high for Jackson. There are, however, two unknowns in Jackson’s recent hot streak. The first would be how Jackson would react to a trade to the Braves (which has been rumored for a week now) and a move back to first base. The second unknown is in regard to whether or not Jackson move to LF is truly the reason for his surge.
“I came up as an outfielder. I feel comfortable in the outfield. It’s not that I’m not comfortable at first base. I’m just a little more comfortable in the outfield.”
In 235 at-bats as a first baseman, Jackson is hitting .302 with a .879 on-base-plus-slugging (OPS) percentage. In 104 at-bats as a left fielder, those numbers jump to .375 and 1.016.
Does the position change help explain his hot streak?
“I don’t know,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t tell you that. It’s not that I’m focusing less on my defense when I’m in left, but I’m not as worried about it.”
Jackson has looked mostly solid in left field, showing decent range and a relatively accurate, if not strong, arm. The plus/minus system at Bill James Online has him at an above-average plus-5.
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