Mariners Take High School Star With No. 6 Pick

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have selected high school slugger Alex Jackson with the No. 6 pick in the amateur baseball draft.

Jackson was selected by the Mariners on Thursday night. It was the fourth time in the past six seasons Seattle has made a pick in the top six spots in the draft.

Jackson was a star at Rancho Bernardo High School near San Diego. He batted .400 with 11 home runs in his senior season after hitting 14 homers as a junior and 17 as a sophomore.

While his success came as a catcher, the right-handed hitter could transition to playing a corner outfield position in the pros. Finding a right-handed bat with power has been difficult for the Mariners in the past.

Someday he might add depth to a line-up that already includes power hitters like Robinson Cano (pictured above).