First-Round Pick Jackson Signs with Cubs

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with outfielder Brett Jackson, the club’s first-round selection (31st overall) in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, pending a physical.

Jackson, 20, was ranked by Baseball America as the second-best overall athlete among all available college players in the 2009 draft class. The six-foot-two, 210-pounder was named to the 2009 All-Pac 10 team after a stellar junior season during which he batted .321 (70-for-218) with 42 runs scored, 17 doubles, six triples, eight home runs, 41 RBI and a .407 on-base percentage in 53 games for the Bears.

Jackson, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, was named a 2009 first-team pre-season All-American by Baseball America and was on the Golden Spikes Award Watch List.

In 2009, Jackson began the campaign with a career-high 18-game hitting streak, batting .408 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs and 14 RBI during the tear. He turned in a career-best effort May 12 vs. Sacramento State when he went 4-for-6 with a grand slam, three-run triple and RBI single to tally a career-high eight RBI. Overall last season, his 17 doubles tied for sixth in the Pac-10, his six triples ranked second, his 123 total bases ranked seventh and his 70 hits ranked eighth.

In three seasons at the University of California Berkeley, Jackson batted .303 (146-for-481) with 91 runs scored, 25 doubles, 11 triples, 12 home runs and 85 RBI in 152 games. He is a 2006 graduate of Miramonte High School in Orinda, California.

Jackson was recommended by area scout John Bartsch.