Jackson getting into swing of things as AAA star

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, April 28, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.

Edwin Jackson has started to fit back into the role of the minor-league star under the Southern Nevada sun.

Jackson has started charting pitches on off days draped in a white towel, and hit a ball in batting practice well over the left field wall, to a berm about 450 feet beyond home plate, before the 51s' 9-8 victory Tuesday night against the Sacramento River Cats. Saturday, he spent about 20 minutes signing autographs for dozens of fans as he was leaving Cashman Field.

Despite being stuck in the spotlight, Jackson has made it a point to try to focus on the here and now. But signing autographs leaves Jackson, 20, vulnerable to exposure that he may not want.

Just as he's getting situated with the 51s, speculation surfaced in the Los Angeles media that he or former Las Vegas pitcher Wilson Alvarez would replace Kazuhisa Ishii, who had been struggling in his starts.

Jackson, one of the 51s' starting pitchers and Los Angeles Dodgers' top prospect according to Baseball America, started spring training expecting to be named the Dodgers' fifth starter. But as his pitching faded, so did his fortunes. Jackson is now 3-1 with a 6.20 ERA in four starts at Triple-A.

Before Ishii threw a nine-inning shutout of the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, a fan brought up to Jackson the possibility of getting the call up to the big leagues.

"I didn't know until someone mentioned it to me while I was signing autographs," he said. "I don't know exactly what's going on."

Las Vegas manager Terry Kennedy said he expects Jackson to spend more time in Las Vegas this season. He is scheduled to start at Fresno Thursday, and again at home vs. Tucson next Tuesday.

"He's been aggressive with his fastball when he gets into trouble," Kennedy said. "He has the luxury of raring back and throwing a ball by."

Jackson does know about the struggles he's had so far this year. In two of his starts, he's struggled in the mid-innings, giving up six earned runs April 13 against Tacoma, and four April 23 visiting the Rainiers.

"Just about every inning (in trouble), I let a leadoff walk, and it starts from there," he said. "I try to stay aggressive through the whole situation."

Kennedy said that Jackson needs to be more mindful of his fastball, because the fastball will strike fear into opposing players.

"Jax can get into the mid-90s, and he needs to put that into hitters' minds, not throwing the slow stuff first," Jackson said. "He has a very special gift, and hitters internally are always aware of a guy with that kind of fastball."

Kennedy said he would like to see Jackson improve on his endurance, although he said a lot of the mistakes in his latest outing were fluke plays, such as a pitch that was a foot outside that was hit over the second baseman's head.

"I'd like to get him past six innings, but he's only got four starts," Kennedy said.