Wherever Jackson Jobe went this year, excitement followed.
As the centerpiece for Heritage Hall High, the 18-year-old helped lead his Oklahoma City team to playoffs, then to regionals and finally to a state championship. Jobe had an incredible regular season, then somehow found another gear in the final stretch.
As the Chargers’ starting shortstop, Jobe hit .469/.592/.927 in the heart of the lineup with seven home runs and 13 stolen bases in 32 games. On the mound, he went 9-0 with a 0.14 ERA and three complete games over 51.2 innings. He also struck out 122 and walked just five.
Those numbers led him not only to be named his team’s MVP, and then to become the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, selected by the Tigers, but the performance was also enough to help him win the Baseball America High School Player of the Year award.
“He obviously brings a lot of eyes and attention to our program, and we love having those special players come through who help us succeed and put championship banners on the wall and trophies in the cases,” Heritage Hall head coach Jordan Semore said. “That’s something you don’t find often, and Jackson was one of those guys who came in and completely turned things around for us.
“He was a guy we could really build around and put him in the middle of the lineup and let him do his thing, and with the (pitching) progression he had from junior to senior year, everything fell into place and was a special year for us.”
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.
ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS
For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors
INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever
HIGH-FLYING BIRDS
Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule
ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Early promotions of star prospects led to a bit of a down season for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Even before the Rookie-level Florida Complex League season began, scouts who saw extended spring training gushed over the Yankees' talent, starting with shortstop Roderick Arias and 6-foot7 pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange. Outfielder John Cruz mashed 10 home runs as a 17-year-old.
SALAS COULD BE SPECIAL
When Ethan Salas arrived in the California League on May 30, he immediately displayed talent well beyond his years.