NW4A Player of the Year

Oh boy, I wasn't trying to start an argument about this. I know some people feel strongly about Madison and some people feel strongly about Justin, and it's hard to change anyone's opinions.

Usually the first round of the draft sees primarily pitchers get drafted, so using that theory Bumgarner should get drafted ahead of Jackson, but despite the disadvatange of being a position player, all the projections I have seen show Jackson going in the top 10 and Bumgarner being a late first rounder.

Both of these kids are great players, I love watching madison bumgarner play. I just feel like Justin Jackson will be a Major League shortstop for many years and will have a great professional career. Madison may do the same thing, but I feel like he isnt as polished right now as Jackson is. He sometimes struggles with his control, especially on his offspeed pitches.

It's just that Justin is the best at his position (shortstop) in America, and theres probably a handful of pitchers who are more highly regarded than Madison. After all, he has been beat twice this year, once by a 2A team and once by an AC Reynolds team that Justin Jackson and TC Roberson defeated twice this season.

 

Hahaha...I know what you mean. Justin, for whatever reason, is not discussed as much on TBR. I have been following the young man since he was a freshman and he is a unique player. I really wasn't trying to get into a debate on "who's better". It was just refreshing to see Justin Jackson's name brought up; and I wanted to hear your opinion of him.

 

I was going to list Jackson on here as well - however, he's not a NW4A player (although by true student counts TC Roberson should be a 4A school, they somehow manage to stay in the 3A bracket)

 

Justin Jackson has come on strong lately for the Rams; he hit THREE homeruns in Friday's game against Asheville - there's a nice article about him in the Citizen-Times. He's hit six homeruns in the last six games.

And, by the way, TC Roberson remains a 3-A school because its enrollment does not qualify the school for 4-A; Roberson is just below the bar. In addition, almost 200 of Roberson's students are in the Progressive Education Program, a special and highly successful school within the school which houses the special education students from the entire county, including those students whose home schools would traditionally include AC Reynolds, Enka, Erwin, North Buncombe, and Owen as well as TC Roberson.

 

One small detail but Messer is actually 11-0 right now. I'm not aware if anyone has a better record in the state. At one time a few weeks ago he was tied for #1 in the state with wins.

I know last year as a sophomore he limited at the time a 30-0 North Forsyth team to 2 hits in the Western Regional State championship in an elimination game and limited Scotland County to 3 hits in a 1-0 loss in the State finals. He definitely deserved a win in the Finals but South couldn't get any offense going in the game he pitched. Several occassions South got their leadoff guy on 2nd but couldn't get a timely hit.

 

jackson is a great prospect no doubt about that. bumgarner imo if he did not pitch and only played in the field would still be a high round draft pick on his bat alone.

 

I know there are a lot of deserving players out there. Madison however is the total package. Pitcher, Hitter, ultimate teamate, unselfish, and the type of young man that is truly a role model. We often only watch the outstanding performances of players when they make an outstanding play or win a game, but let's don't forget the actions when a player strikes out, has a homerun hit off him, makes an error, has a call go against him, even a bad one. Those actions speak louder in my mind because there are a bunch of really outstanding players but only a select few are outstanding young men as well. Madison surely stands out.

 

Last Few At Bats

Folks,

It's great that you are recognizing Madison's bat. I've seen him hit a HR or two myself. However, you are now witnessing the last few At Bats of his playing career!

He will be drafted in a few weeks for his Arm. After this last run at a State Title he is a Pitcher....period!

If you really want an interesting "dynamic" pay attention to what happens to Wieters from GA Tech over the next few months. That one will be entertaining!

I see him as a Catcher who just so happens to be a Closer, but I'm sure there are others that think he is a Closer that just so happens to Catch.

Maybe he'll be the first Big Leaguer to do the Little League switch and take off the Catchers Equipment with 2 Outs in the Bottom of the 9th to come in and Strike Out the last batter of the game? Now that would be something!

Can you see the "call to the pen" for a new Catcher instead of a Pitcher?

 

Hold On

 

If/When

If / When he makes it to the National League and assuming he will be able to hit Major League pitching then (and only then) will his "bat" be an added bonus.

What you fail to realize is that there are several other leagues he has to get through before the "National League" and NO MLB team is going to waste time (or risk injury) letting him hit in the Minors. Your enthusiasm for Madison is wonderful to see. You're just "off the mark" a bit on this one.