Luke Jackson | |
---|---|
Free agent | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | August 24, 1991|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 4, 2015, for the Texas Rangers | |
MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
Win–loss record | 22–11 |
Earned run average | 4.24 |
Strikeouts | 386 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Luke Ray Jackson (born August 24,1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers,Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants. He was drafted by the Rangers in the first round,45th overall,of the 2010 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with them in 2015.
Jackson attended Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale,Florida. As a senior,he went 8-0 with an 0.90 earned run average (ERA) in 54+2⁄3 innings pitched with 87 strikeouts for the baseball team. He graduated in 2010. [1] [2] [3]
After his senior season, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the first round, 45th overall, of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. [4] [5] Jackson signed with the Rangers, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at the University of Miami, for a signing bonus of $1.545 million. [6] [7] He made his professional debut in 2011 for the Hickory Crawdads, for whom he was 5–6 with a 5.64 ERA. [8]
Jackson started 2012 with Hickory, and was promoted to the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans during the season. Between the two teams he was 10–7 with a 4.65 ERA with 146 strikeouts, the second-most among Teas minor leaguers, in 129.2 innings, and had 10.1 strikeouts per 9 innings. [2]
He started 2013 back with Myrtle Beach. [9] He was named a CAR Mid-Season All-Star. [10] Jackson was promoted to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders during the season. [11] [12] Between the two teams he was 11-4 with a 2.04 ERA (the 8th-lowest ERA among all full season minor league pitchers) in 25 games (23 starts) in which he pitched 128 innings and struck out 134 batters. [13] [2] Batters hit .202 against him, the 7th-lowest batting-average-against among all full season pitchers. [2] After the season, he was named the Nolan Ryan Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and an MiLB organization All Star. [10] Baseball America rated him the 9th-best prospect in the Carolina League. [2]
Jackson started 2014 back with Frisco. [14] [15] [16] He was named a Texas Mid-Season All-Star. [10] He was later promoted to Triple-A Round Rock Express. His aggregate 126 strikeouts were 3rd-most among Texas minor league pitchers. [2]
In 2015, Jackson started the season with Round Rock. He converted to the bullpen in May after having started 97 of his first 101 professional games. [2] He was called up to the majors for the first time on August 6, 2015. [17] However, he was sent back down to Round Rock on August 11, before making an appearance with the Rangers. [18]
The Rangers again promoted Jackson to the major leagues for the first time on September 1. [19] In 2015 with Texas he was 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA in 11+2⁄3 innings, and his fastball velocity of 96.8 mph was in the top 5% in baseball. [20]
In 2016, Jackson split the season between Texas (8 games), the 15-day disabled list (back stiffness), and the minor leagues (with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock; he was 1-1 with three saves and a 3.69 ERA in 46+1⁄3 innings over 36 relief appearances). [2]
On December 8, 2016, the Rangers traded Jackson to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitchers Tyrell Jenkins and Brady Feigl. [21]
In 2017 in the majors he was 2-0 with a 4.62 ERA in 50.2 innings over 43 relief appearances, and the hard-hit percentage against him was 41.5%, in the worst 2% in baseball. [20] Jackson was designated for assignment on December 20, 2017. [22]
Jackson had his contract purchased by Atlanta on April 4, 2018. He was later designated for assignment on April 15. [23] He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers. He had his contract purchased again on May 6, and was again removed from the roster two days later. On June 5, he was called up once again. Jackson was later designated for assignment omce more on June 13. [24] He was called up once again on June 17. With Triple–A Gwinnett in 2018 he was 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA across 21+1⁄3 innings in which he struck out 34 batters (14.3 strikeouts per 9 innings), in 10 games (one start). [13] With Atlanta, he was 1-2 with a 4.43 ERA and one save and three holds in 40+2⁄3 innings in which he struck out 46 batters (10.18 strikeouts per 9 innings). [13] In 2018 he stopped throwing a changeup, threw a lower percentage of four-seam fastballs and curveballs, and began to throw his slider more. [25]
In 2019, he was 9–2 with 18 saves and nine holds, and a 3.84 ERA with 106 strikeouts (13.1 strikeouts per 9 innings) in 72+2⁄3 innings over 70 relief appearances. [26] Jackson induced a 60.5% ground ball percentage, the third-highest in baseball (minimum 70 innings). [2] He induced a chase rate of 35.1%, in the best 4% in baseball, and a whiff percentage of 36.7%, in the best 3% of baseball. [20]
In 2020, he was 2–0 with a 6.84 ERA in 26+1⁄3 innings over 19 relief appearances. [26] He had a barrel percentage against of 3.1, in the best 5% in baseball. [20]
In 2021, Jackson was 2–2 with a 1.98 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 63+2⁄3 innings in 71 games (sixth-most in the NL). [27] His 31 holds ranked second in the major leagues. [26] Between 2015 and 2021, he relied mostly on his 88 mph ground ball-inducing slider and 96 mph four-seam fastball, also throwing an 85 mph curveball. [28] He won a championship ring that year as the Braves won the World Series in six games.
Prior to the 2022 season, the Braves disclosed that magnetic resonance imaging had revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of Jackson's right elbow. [29] [30] He underwent successful Tommy John surgery on that elbow on April 13, 2022. [31] In May, Jackson was granted a $3.6 million salary for the 2022 season via arbitration. [32] He missed the entire 2022 season due to his surgery. [33]
On January 9, 2023, the San Francisco Giants announced that Jackson had been signed to a two-year contract, for a guaranteed $11.5 million, with a club option for a third season. [34] [35] He will earn $3 million in 2023, and $6.5 million in 2024. [36] The Giants have an option for $7 million for 2025, with a $2 million buyout if the team declines to exercise it. [36] Jackson will also make donations to the Giants Community Fund of $15,000 in 2023, $32,500 in 2024, and $35,000 in 2025 if the Giants exercise their option. [36] After rehab stints with the Single-A San Jose Giants and Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, Jackson was activated from the injured list on May 30. [37] [38] [39]
On July 29, 2024, the Giants traded Jackson and Jorge Soler to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Tyler Matzek and Sabin Ceballos. [40] [41]
Jackson and his wife Corinne welcomed a son in 2021. [42]
Michael David Minor is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Cincinnati Reds. Minor played college baseball at Vanderbilt University and was selected by the Braves with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft.
Charles Alfred Morton IV is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. The Braves selected Morton in the third round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft. He has also previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Rays. Morton was a World Series champion in 2017 and 2021 and an All-Star in 2018 and 2019. Morton is the active pitcher with the most career batters hit by pitch with 180.
Chaz Daniel Roe is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays.
Tyler Alexander Matzek is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft, and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2014. He did not play in the major leagues after 2015 until he pitched for the Braves in 2020.
Craig Michael Kimbrel is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles. He is a nine-time All-Star, two-time Reliever of the Year, and a 2018 World Series champion.
Cory Nathanial Gearrin is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Minnesota Twins.
Julio Alberto Teherán Pinto is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher for the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets. Teherán signed with the Braves as an international free agent in 2007 and made his MLB debut in 2011. He was an MLB All-Star in 2014 and 2016.
Shelby Charles Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers.
Todd Andrew Smyly is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs.
Dallas Keuchel is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Pierce William Johnson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies and for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was drafted by the Cubs in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft out of Missouri State University.
Shane Greene is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. The Yankees selected Greene in the 15th round of the 2009 MLB draft. After Greene made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2014, he was traded to the Tigers before the 2015 season. Greene was an All-Star in 2019.
Luis Francisco Ortiz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. The Texas Rangers selected Ortiz in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2018. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Tyrell Deon Jenkins is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves.
Brady Matthew Feigl is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2024.
Kolby Kenneth Allard is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was selected by the Braves with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.
Joe Alexander Jiménez is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2017 and was an All-Star in 2018.
Jimmy Matthew Herget is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, and Atlanta Braves.
John Fulboam Brebbia is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves.
Joseph Tucker Davidson is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Baltimore Orioles. Davidson played college baseball at Midland College. He was drafted by the Braves in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)Jackson took the final step in his rehab from Tommy John surgery while making his Giants debut on Wednesday. He threw a clean seventh inning and struck out two in an otherwise forgettable 9-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pitching in an MLB game for the first time since the 2021 World Series, Jackson struck out a pair in a perfect seventh inning. He showed an ability to repeatedly land his slider for strikes and hit 96 mph with his fastball.