From many, there will be one. And while there’s still no guarantee contending athletes will win their own state at this point in the season, a number of elite performers are making a case for Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year consideration. Here’s the scoop on the latest top candidate.
Alex Jackson
Junior catcher, Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.)
Greatness Present: Early in his junior season, the power-hitting catcher is showing why he’s Perfect Game USA’s No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2014.
Jackson has torn the cover off the ball in his first eight games, slugging four home runs, including a solo shot in a 3-2 loss to Rancho Buena Vista (Vista, Calif.) on Wednesday. He has batted .417 with eight RBI, recording a .562 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage through the first two weeks of the season for the 6-2 Broncos.
Greatness Past: Jackson batted .400 with a team-best 17 home runs as a sophomore, leading Rancho Bernardo to a 23-10 record in 2012. He was also the top hitter at the Area Code Games this past summer
Greatness Future: Jackson has verbally committed to Oregon.
Make no mistake: The Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year races aren’t over, and the National POY race is now heating up. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list.Check back for daily updates on the top contenders making their case.
