Cubs take Jackson with 31st pick

HOUSTON -- The Chicago Cubs selected center fielder Brett Jackson with the 31st overall pick in baseball's amateur draft on Tuesday night.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Jackson played three seasons at the University of California and was an All-Pac-10 selection as a junior after hitting .321 with 17 doubles, six triples, eight home runs and 41 RBIs. He started the season on a career-high 18-game hitting streak and finished the season with 21 multi-hit games.

"He plays the game hard and has a chance to be a true center fielder," said Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken. "We feel he has an average to above-average throwing arm, and accurate. We feel we have a guy who's a plus runner who's got a chance to have some power down the line."

Jackson, 20, said he's been a Cubs fan since going to Wrigley Field with friends for his 19th birthday. He was playing in a summer league in Wisconsin at the time.

"I absolutely truly was hoping to be a Cub the whole time," Jackson said. "I couldn't believe it when my name was read. I love the history and the tradition of the team. I love the mascot -- once a Bear, always a Bear -- and I'm proud to be a Cub today and I'm looking forward to helping the organization in the future."

Last summer, Jackson was rated the eighth-best prospect in the Cape Cod League. The Cubs will take the time to develop him, Wilken said.

"We'll be allowed to go a little bit at our own pace," Wilken said. "I don't think there's a super cause at this time to force it. We'll see how it plays out. But I think he's got a chance to be a front line center fielder, an everyday player."

The Cubs opened a three-game series in Houston on Tuesday night.

Jackson said he hadn't thought about when he will sign with his new team.

"Right now, I'm just thrilled to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs," Jackson said. "I think the business will work itself out."