Cubs Draft: Top high school prospects team should consider in 2021 MLB Draft
By Logan Whaley
Cubs Minors: Jackson Jobe, SS/RHP, Heritage Hall
One of the more seemingly underrated prospects within Baseball America’s top 30 draft-eligible high school prospects of this upcoming draft is a two-way star, Jackson Jobe. Standing a solid 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Jobe packs a punch and displays a smooth delivery. He currently has a verbal commitment to Ole Miss.
Jobe was on a unique trajectory as a two-way player. His primary position started at shortstop, but soon after, the stocky right-hander moved to the mound. Most likely, he will not see the number six spot on the diamond moving forward.
His two strongest pitchers are his fastball, which topped out at 96 mph, and his slider carries a nice breaking bite, and per his scouting report, at Perfect Game carries a spin-rate of 3,100 rpm. To put it into perspective, Los Angeles Dodgers starter Walker Buehler posted the second-best slider spin-rate in the majors in 2020 at 2948. If Jobe can make his slider the primarily dominant pitch, he will be in business.
As a very talented and athletic star for Heritage Hall, Jobe put up some gaudy improvements, adding more velocity to his fastball and continuing to master his curveball and changeup, which moves towards right-handers in the box, making it a potentially strong out pitch.
Jobe also drives the ball with authority. His exit velocity of 92 mph, according to Perfect Game, ranked above the 90th percentile in his class. The swing is effortless. Being able to sit back on the ball patiently appears to be a strength of his, and it could translate well if he continues to work on hitting too at the next levels.