Position: RHP
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 225 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 05/01/1996
College: University of Utah
Drafted: 12th Round, 370th Overall, 2017 (Dodgers)
How Acquired: Trade (with Dodgers for cash)
Bonus: $247,500
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 0
Overview
Jackson was primarily an outfielder in college, but pitched in relief. He had Tommy John surgery that cost him his junior season in 2017. Scouts were attracted to him as a pitcher due to outstanding athleticism and arm strength. The Dodgers drafted him in 2017 and signed him to an overslot bonus. Jackson’s velocity has covered a wide range, but averages in the mid-90s. His main secondary pitch is a change and he also throws a couple of breaking balls. The Pirates acquired him for cash considerations after the Dodgers designated him for assignment.
2018-20
Pitching as a starter in 2018, Jackson did well in rookie ball but not in full-season ball, as he walked nearly a batter an inning. In 2019, Jackson divided his time between low A and high A, still as a starter. He dominated at the lower level, with opponents batting just .172 against him. He had more trouble at the higher level, mainly due to walks, although he had a very high K rate. Baseball America ranked him 24th in the Dodgers’ system. In 2020, he spent the truncated season at the Dodgers’ alternate facility. After the season, the team added him to the 40-man roster.
2021-22
Jackson started the 2022 season in AA, moved up to AAA in early August and got called up briefly several times after that, enough to appear in three major league games. He put up very good numbers in AA, including a 3.27 ERA, 2.8 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9. His one issue was gopher balls, as he allowed one every five innings. The problem continued in AAA, where he allowed one every four and a half innings. Jackson pitched as a starter in the minors and in long relief in the majors. After the season, BA ranked him ninth in the Dodgers’ system.
Jackson spent most of the 2022 season in AAA, pitching as a starter. The Dodgers called him up in September and he made four relief appearances. He had a more limited problem with home runs in AAA, but more trouble with poor control, as a 7.3 BB/9 contributed to an ERA of 5.00. He again pitched as a starter in the minors and as a reliever in the majors.
2023
Pitching almost exclusively in relief, Jackson opened the season with the Dodgers but, after four mostly rough appearances, got sent to AAA. The Dodgers called him up briefly a couple times after that. The gopher ball problems continued and Jackson also had trouble throwing strikes in AAA, walking 5.5 per nine innings. Near the end of June the Dodgers designated him for assignment and the Pirates acquired him for cash. Jackson pitched five times for Indianapolis, all short outings except one of four innings. The Pirates called him up in early August and employed him mostly as a starter and some in long relief. They seemed to want to get him beyond an opener role, but he had trouble getting through the opposing order twice. The difference between the first and second time through was extreme. Including his time with the Dodgers, he allowed a .487 OPS the first time through and a 1.058 OPS the second time through (nearly all of the latter coming with the Pirates). Manager Derek Shelton never likes to give up on a failed strategy, though, so Jackson ended up with a 5.33 ERA in his seven starts with the Pirates. Overall, he had a 4.33 ERA with them, with decent walk and K rates.
Jackson is out of options.
Stats
Transactions
June 7, 2014: Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 32nd round, 966th overall pick.
June 14, 2017: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 12th round, 370th overall pick; signed on June 30.
November 20, 2020: Contract purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
June 25, 2023: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.