Damon wowed by Ex-Yankees prospect Jackson

For Johnny Damon, there is no debate.

When it comes to defensive centerfielders, Austin Jackson is the best in the game.

"We have a centerfielder who can go get the ball better than anybody I've ever seen," said the former Yankee and current Detroit Tiger. "He hits the ball hard and he plays the game the right way. He hustles every time and every time he puts the ball in play, he has a chance for a hit."

The Yankees traded Jackson, their top prospect, to the Tigers as part of the three-team deal that brought Curtis Granderson to the Bronx. And the verdict is still out on whether that was a smart move.

Jackson, just 23, was batting .364 at the end of April and led the majors in hits (36) during that span, en route to becoming the American League rookie of the month. And despite a recent back injury, he is batting .307 after going 1-for-4 with a double last night in the Tigers' 14-6 loss to the Mets.

Granderson, on the other hand, started off hot, but his .357 average dipped to .221 by the end of the first month. He was hitting just .234 entering last night's game in Arizona, following a groin injury that forced him to miss 24 games.

Granderson (six) does have more home runs than Jackson (one), but Damon thinks it's only a matter of time for his teammate.

"Curtis definitely has the home run pop that not too many players in this league have, but this guy, defensively, it's a no-brainer. He's real good," he said of Jackson, who returned to the starting lineup after missing the start of six straight games because of back spasms.

"I didn't really develop my power until I was 28 or so. So I think he's doing well . . . and if he continues to work as hard as he does, he's going to be an All-Star one of these days."

Damon's All-Star days are behind him. So are the days of long-term contracts, he acknowledged. The Tigers' designated hitter, who did not play last night, signed a one-year, $8-million deal in February and is in the midst of a 2-for-23 slump.

"I understand it's the game of baseball," said Damon, who is batting .274 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. "Teams are trying to shut me down and I'm trying to do my damage. It just hasn't come as quickly or as easily as last year."