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Brett Jackson, the first-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs, is headed to Boise to play for the Hawks. Jackson, 20, was an outfielder at California this past college season.
He was selected 31st overall by the Cubs, who are the major-league affiliate of the Hawks.
Jackson received a $972,000 signing bonus, according to media reports.
"So many times those first-rounders have a wasted first year where you don't get much experience and playing time out of him," assistant general manager Randy Bush told the Chicago Tribune. "It says a lot about him that he wanted to get started."
The left-handed hitter was ranked by Baseball America as the second-best overall athlete among all available college players in the 2009 draft class. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder was named to the 2009 All-Pac 10 team after a junior season during which he batted .321 (70-for-218) with 42 runs scored, 17 doubles, 6 triples, 8 home runs, 41 RBI and a .407 on-base percentage in 53 games for the Bears.
In the pros, Jackson is projected to be a center fielder.
The Hawks, who are 0-5, are on the road through Saturday night. They play a home game Sunday night at Memorial Stadium against Yakima. Start time is 7:15 p.m.
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