Dodgers: Connor Joe and Drew Jackson Returned to the Dodgers

The Dodgers’ lost two notable players in the rule five draft in Connor Joe and Drew Jackson. Both were designated for assignment and returned to the Dodgers.

Back in December, the Dodgers had two prospects plucked from their farm system as Connor Joe and Drew Jackson were both selected.  On Saturday, the last of the two were returned to the Dodgers as Connor Joe cleared waivers and was returned after Drew Jackson had been returned a few days earlier.

Drew Jackson was selected by the Phillies with the eleventh pick in the rule five draft and then traded to the Baltimore Orioles.  Jackson only received three at-bats with the Orioles before he was designated for assignment to clear room for the newly acquired Dan Straily.  Drew was the 21st ranked prospect according to Minor League Ball.

Much like current Dodger Chris Taylor, Drew Jackson was acquired from the Seattle Mariners and is another super utility player.  He has played all over the outfield and infield with the bulk of his work coming at second base, shortstop, and center field.  Jackson hit fifteen home runs with the Tulsa Drillers last year and has stolen 43 bases over the last two seasons.

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Connor Joe was selected with the sixth pick in the rule five draft by the Cincinnati Reds.  Then towards the end of March, Farhan Zaidi who knows the Dodgers’ minor league system better than any rival general manager, traded for Joe.  Connor received fifteen at-bats in San Francisco and recorded just one hit.  At least he got his first big league hit out of the way.

Between Tulsa and Oklahoma City last season, Connor Joe hit seventeen home runs and a combined .299 with an OPS over .900.  Joe primarily plays first and third base along with some outfield so he will serve as depth in Triple-A in case one of the Dodgers’ first baseman get injured.  Even then, Edwin Rios has surpassed Joe on the organization depth chart.

Of the two returned prospects, Drew Jackson has the best chance to make it back to the big leagues with the Dodgers.  With Chris Taylor struggling, Jackson could be promoted if CT3 continues to struggle over the next couple of months.  Drew is a faster version of Taylor who likely has more power, but he won’t hit for average as Chris once did.