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Luke Jackson (baseball)

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Luke Jackson
Jackson with the Atlanta Braves in 2018
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1991-08-24) August 24, 1991 (age 33)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 2015, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record22–11
Earned run average4.24
Strikeouts386
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.

Early life

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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]

Professional career

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Texas Rangers

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Minor leagues

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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]

Major leagues

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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]

Atlanta Braves

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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]

San Francisco Giants

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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]

Atlanta Braves (second stint)

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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] At the end of the season, the Braves declined the option on Jackson's contract, making him a free agent.[42]

Personal life

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Jackson and his wife Corinne welcomed a son in 2021.[43]

References

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  1. ^ Chirinos, Christy Cabrera (June 3, 2010). "Broward Class 3A-2A-1A All-County baseball team". Sun-Sentinel.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "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. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ Bowman, Mark (July 29, 2024). "Braves reunite with WS MVP Soler in deal with Giants". MLB.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  41. ^ Passan, Jeff (July 29, 2024). "Braves acquire Jorge Soler, Luke Jackson in trade with Giants". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  42. ^ Bowman, Mark (November 4, 2024). "Braves exercise 2025 option on Ozuna, decline options on d'Arnaud, Jackson". MLB.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  43. ^ "Braves' Luke Jackson Shares Adorable Moment with His Baby Son During World Series: 'My Whole Heart'". October 30, 2021.
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