Luke Jackson (baseball)

Last updated

54+23innings pitched with 87 strikeouts for the baseball team. He graduated in 2010. [1] [2] [3]

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

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]

Texas Rangers (2015–2016)

The Rangers again promoted Jackson to the major leagues on September 1. [19] In 2015 with Texas he was 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA in 11.2 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 innings over 36 relief appearances). [2]

Atlanta Braves (2017–2021)

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, 2018. [23] He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the 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 again on June 13. [24] He was called up once again on June 17. With AAA Gwinnett in 2018 he was 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA, in 21.1 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 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+23 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+13 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+23 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]

San Francisco Giants

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]

Personal life

Jackson and his wife Corinne welcomed a son in 2021. [40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Maddux</span> American baseball player (born 1966)

Gregory Alan Maddux, also known as "Mad Dog" and "the Professor," is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs. He won the 1995 World Series with the Braves over the Cleveland Indians. Maddux was the first pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award four consecutive years (1992–1995), matched by only one other pitcher, Randy Johnson. During those four seasons, Maddux had a 75–29 record with a 1.98 earned run average (ERA), while allowing less than one baserunner per inning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yovani Gallardo</span> Mexican baseball player (born 1986)

Yovani Gallardo is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft out of Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds. Gallardo was an All-Star in 2010, and won the Silver Slugger Award for pitchers that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Minor (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Hanson</span> American baseball player (1986–2015)

Thomas J. Hanson Jr. was an American professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Hanson made his MLB debut with Atlanta on June 7, 2009, and played with the Braves through 2012. He pitched his final Major League season in 2013 with the Angels, who had acquired him in a trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donnie Veal</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Donald Tyrone Veal is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Veal played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and Atlanta Braves. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft and is currently a minor league pitching coach for the White Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Kimbrel</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1988)

Craig Michael Kimbrel is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He is a nine-time All-Star, two-time Reliever of the Year, and a 2018 World Series champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randall Delgado</span> Panamanian baseball player

Randall Enrique Delgado is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks and in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for the Uni-President Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Gearrin</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio Teherán</span> Colombian baseball player (born 1991)

Julio Alberto Teherán Pinto is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelby Miller</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Shelby Charles Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Smyly</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1989)

Todd Andrew Smyly is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Smith (pitcher)</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

William Michael Smith is an American professional baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Greene</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1988)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik Cordier</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

Erik Michael Cordier is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Ortiz (pitcher, born 1995)</span> American baseball player

Luis Francisco Ortiz is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). 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 MLB for the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyrell Jenkins</span> American baseball player

Tyrell Deon Jenkins is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves.

Brady Feigl is the name of two American baseball players born in the 1990s who share remarkable similarities. Not only do both men have the same first and last names, but they also look similar, and are the same height. Neither had met another person with their surname outside their families. Both play the position of pitcher, and have had Tommy John surgery performed by the same doctor. After meeting, the Feigls took DNA tests to see if they were related. They are not, but both have 53 percent Germanic ancestry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Ureña</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1991)

José Miguel Ureña Rodríguez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, and Chicago White Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolby Allard</span> American baseball player (born 1997)

Kolby Kenneth Allard is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. He was selected by the Braves with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Anderson (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1998)

Ian Theodore Anderson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Anderson was selected out of high school by the Braves with the third overall pick of the 2016 MLB draft. He made his major league debut in 2020. Anderson won a World Series ring in 2021 as a member of the Atlanta Braves.

References

  1. Chirinos, Christy Cabrera (June 3, 2010). "Broward Class 3A-2A-1A All-County baseball team". Sun-Sentinel.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Luke Jackson Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  3. "Luke Jackson's High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com.
  4. "Texas takes pitcher, slugger in comp round". MLB.com. June 7, 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  5. "Calvary Christian's Luke Jackson drafted #45 by Texas Rangers". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  6. "Calvary Christian's Jackson agrees to terms with Texas Rangers". Sun Sentinel. August 16, 2010.
  7. "Luke Jackson Class of 2010 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA". Perfect Game.
  8. "Luke Jackson to make pro debut Friday". ESPN. May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  9. "archive.ph". archive.ph. Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. 1 2 3 "Luke Jackson Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com.
  11. "Myrtle Beach Pelicans News". Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  12. "Rangers distribute annual Minor League awards". MLB.com. January 14, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 "Luke Jackson Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "Luke Jackson impressing scouts, coaches". ESPN.com. April 26, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  15. Fox Sports (June 6, 2014). "Rangers' pitching prospect Jackson hopes to make jump from double-A". FOX Sports. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  16. "Jackson could be future Express, Rangers starter".
  17. Sullivan, T. R. (August 6, 2015). "Rangers to call up No. 9 prospect Jackson". MLB.com. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  18. "Rangers' Cole Hamels won't make Thursday start due to sore groin". ESPN. Associated Press. August 11, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  19. Stevenson, Stefan (September 2, 2015). "Rangers closer unfazed by role down the stretch". The Star-Telegram. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Luke Jackson Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com". baseballsavant.com.
  21. "Rangers deal Luke Jackson for pair of pitching prospects, including another rotation candidate". Dallas News. December 9, 2016.
  22. Macklin, Oliver (December 20, 2017). "Braves acquire OF Tucker; DFA Jackson". MLB.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  23. Bowman (April 15, 2018). "Finale with Cubs postponed; makeup on May 14". MLB.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  24. Todd, Jeff (June 13, 2018). "Braves Designate Luke Jackson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  25. "Giants Sign Luke Jackson To Two-Year Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. January 9, 2023.
  26. 1 2 3 "Luke Jackson Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  27. "Luke Jackson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  28. "BrooksBaseball.net Player Card: Luke Jackson". www.brooksbaseball.net.
  29. "Atlanta Braves reliever Luke Jackson being evaluated for ligament damage in elbow". ESPN. Associated Press. April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  30. Bowman, Mark (April 2, 2022). "Jackson may require surgery on UCL, more tests needed". MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  31. Burns, Gabriel (April 13, 2022). "Braves' Luke Jackson undergoes Tommy John surgery". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  32. "Injured reliever Luke Jackson loses salary arbitration hearing vs. Atlanta Braves". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  33. Burns, Gabriel. "Braves' Luke Jackson undergoes Tommy John surgery". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AJC.com.
  34. Dierberger, Tom (January 9, 2023). "Giants agree to sign reliever Jackson, trade Marte to Phillies". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  35. "San Francisco Giants agree to 2-year deal with Luke Jackson". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  36. 1 2 3 "Giants agree to 2-year deal with RHP Jackson". ESPN.com. January 9, 2023.
  37. Webeck, Evan (May 30, 2023). "Luke Jackson completes long road back from Tommy John, joins SF Giants bullpen". Mercury News. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  38. Baggarly, Andrew (May 31, 2023). "Giants' investment in Luke Jackson is off to a neat start". The Athletic. Retrieved June 1, 2023. 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.
  39. Pavlovic, Alex (May 31, 2023). "Jackson dominates Giants debut; Conforto gets good MRI news". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 1, 2023. 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.
  40. "Braves' Luke Jackson Shares Adorable Moment with His Baby Son During World Series: 'My Whole Heart'". October 30, 2021.
Luke Jackson
Luke Jackson (33377011478) (Cropped).jpg
Jackson with the Atlanta Braves in 2018
San Francisco Giants – No. 77
Pitcher
Born: (1991-08-24) August 24, 1991 (age 32)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 2015, for the Texas Rangers