Edwin Jackson

This article is about the baseball player. For the basketball player, see Edwin Jackson (basketball). For the American football player, see Edwin Jackson (American football).
Edwin Jackson

Jackson with the Washington Nationals
Miami Marlins – No. 36
Pitcher
Born: (1983-09-09) September 9, 1983
Neu-Ulm, Bavaria, West Germany
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 9, 2003, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
(through April 17, 2016)
Win–loss record 88–109
Earned run average 4.58
Strikeouts 1,269
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Edwin Jackson (born September 9, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays / Rays, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. Jackson was an All-Star in 2009 and threw a no-hitter on June 25, 2010.

Early life

Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany. He spent the first eight years of his life in Germany until spending the rest of his youth in Columbus, Georgia.[1][2] Jackson attended Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia from 1997–2001. While attending Shaw High School, Jackson played outfield for the Raider baseball team. His senior year, Jackson helped lead the Raiders baseball team to the 2001 GHSA AAAA State Championship title over Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia.

Professional career

Los Angeles Dodgers

Jackson was drafted by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2001 MLB entry draft.[3][4] He was originally drafted as an outfielder but the Dodgers converted him into a pitcher.[4] There was a time when Jackson was regarded as one of the premiere pitching prospects in baseball (after posting sub-4.00 ERAs in AA and the majors at age 19 in 2003), but poor showings in AAA and MLB after that season ended his status as a "can't-miss" prospect. He made his major league debut on September 9, 2003, his 20th birthday. In that game, he pitched 6 innings, giving up just one run and out-pitched Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson to earn his first career major league victory.

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 14, 2006, Jackson and left-handed pitcher Chuck Tiffany were traded to Tampa Bay for pitchers Danys Báez and Lance Carter.[5] In 2006, Jackson pitched in 23 games, mostly in middle relief, and posted a 5.45 ERA in 36⅓ innings.

In 2007, Jackson became a full-time starter for the Rays. He began the season poorly, going 1–9 with a 7.23 ERA in 17 games over 74⅔ innings. Jackson managed to rebound somewhat after the All-Star break, posting a 4–6 record and a 4.48 ERA over 15 games, all of them starts. His season highlight came in a start against the Texas Rangers on August 11, in which he recorded a shutout, allowing only four hits and one walk while striking out eight. Jackson finished the season with a 5–15 record and an ERA of 5.76.

In 2008, Jackson assumed the number four spot in the Rays' starting rotation out of spring training. He finished the season with a 4.42 ERA. Jackson tied with James Shields to lead the Rays with 14 victories, which also tied the record for most wins by a Rays pitcher.[6]

Jackson pitching for the Tigers in 2009

Detroit Tigers

On December 10, 2008, Jackson was traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for outfielder Matt Joyce.[7][8]

Jackson made his Tigers debut on April 7, 2009, against the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed one run in 7⅓ innings, and received a no decision in Detroit's 5–4 loss.[9] He earned his first victory with Detroit on April 18 against the Seattle Mariners, pitching 7⅔ scoreless innings.[10]

Jackson was selected to represent Detroit in the 2009 All-Star Game along with teammates Curtis Granderson, Justin Verlander, and Brandon Inge. He pitched a scoreless fifth inning for the AL, retiring Yadier Molina, Ryan Zimmerman, and Hanley Ramírez on four pitches.[11][12]

At of the end of July, opposing batters were hitting .216 against him, which was the lowest batting average in the league; he was followed by Matt Garza (.222), Jarrod Washburn (.224), and Scott Feldman (.228).

Arizona Diamondbacks

On December 9, 2009 Jackson was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a three team trade that brought Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Max Scherzer, and Daniel Schlereth to the Tigers.[13] Jackson hit his second Major League home run off Jack Taschner against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 11, 2010.

On June 25, 2010, Jackson no-hit his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, 1–0, at Tropicana Field,[14] becoming the first pitcher to no-hit a former team since Philadelphia Phillie Terry Mulholland no-hit the San Francisco Giants in 1990. It was only the second no-hitter in Diamondbacks' history, the other being Randy Johnson's perfect game on May 18, 2004. He managed to get through an astounding 8 walks while still completing the no hitter. It was also the fourth of the 2010 season, and the third time the Rays had been no-hit in less than 12 months. Jackson had a very rough start to the game, walking a total of eight batters as well as hitting B.J. Upton with a pitch. Overall, Jackson allowed nine batters on base and got out of a bases loaded jam in the 3rd inning. Mark Reynolds, Tony Abreu, and Adam LaRoche (whose second-inning home run accounted for the game's only run) helped Jackson as they provided impressive defense. He threw 149 pitches in the entire game.[15] Jackson became the first German-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter, the first African American to do so since Dwight Gooden in 1996, and the first African American to do so for a National League team since Bob Gibson in 1971.[16]

Chicago White Sox

On July 30, 2010, the Diamondbacks traded Jackson to the Chicago White Sox for Daniel Hudson and David Holmberg.[17][18]

When the Diamondbacks traded Jackson to the White Sox he became the first pitcher in the Majors to be traded away in the same season that he pitched a no-hitter since Cliff Chambers pitched a no-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Boston Braves in 1951.

St. Louis Cardinals

Jackson during the 2011 World Series victory parade

On July 27, 2011, Jackson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays with Mark Teahen for Jason Frasor and Zach Stewart. The Blue Jays then traded Jackson to the St. Louis Cardinals later that day, along with Octavio Dotel, Marc Rzepczynski and Corey Patterson for Colby Rasmus, P. J. Walters, Trever Miller and Brian Tallet.[19][20][21][22]

On July 29, 2011, Edwin Jackson pitched his first game as a Cardinal and threw 7 strong innings, leading St. Louis to a blowout win over their rivals the Chicago Cubs.

Over 13 regular-season appearances for St. Louis in 2011, Jackson pitched 78 innings in which he struck out 51 batters and walked 23. He allowed 91 hits and 37 runs (31 earned) to accrue a regular-season ERA of 3.58 with the Cardinals. In four postseason starts during St. Louis' successful march to the 2011 World Championship, Jackson posted a 5.60 ERA, issuing 19 hits, nine bases on balls and 11 runs (all earned), including four home runs, over 17⅔ innings.

Jackson declined a one-year salary arbitration offer from the Cardinals for the 2012 season, becoming a free agent in December 2011.[23]

Washington Nationals

On February 2, 2012, Jackson agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals. The contract was reported to be worth $11 million and to contain incentive bonuses for achievements such as postseason awards.[24][25] Jackson went 10–11 with the Nationals with an ERA of 4.03. He became a free agent after the Nationals elimination from the playoffs.

Chicago Cubs

On January 2, 2013, Jackson signed a 4-year, $52 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.[26] On April 14, he along with Michael Bowden broke the record for most wild pitches in an inning, with 5. He finished the year 8–18 with a 4.98 ERA.

The 2014 season was even more dismal for Jackson. He finished the season with a 6–15 record, a 6.33 ERA over 140⅔ IP, and allowed opponents a .302 against him. Over the course of his final 9 starts, Jackson posted a 1–6 record with a 9.95 ERA. His final start against the Los Angeles Dodgers saw him give up 5 earned runs in just ⅔ of an inning, leading to his subsequent demotion to the bullpen for the remainder of the year. He finished 2014 going 6–15 with a 6.33 ERA

Jackson entered 2015 competing for a spot in the starting rotation with Travis Wood, but lost after giving up 9 earned runs in 16.1 innings. He began the season as the long reliever in the Cubs bullpen.[27] On July 19, the Cubs designated him for assignment.[28] On July 27, the Cubs released Jackson,[29] eating the $13 million remaining on his contract.[30] The team also owes him the same amount through the 2016 season.[31]

Atlanta Braves

On August 14, Jackson signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves for the remainder of the 2015 season.[32] He made his first appearance with the Braves the next day.[33] Jackson recorded his first career save in relief of Matt Wisler on October 4, 2015, the final day of the season.[34]

Miami Marlins

On January 13, 2016, Jackson signed a one-year contract for $507,500 with the Miami Marlins.[35]

Pitching style

Jackson is one of a minority of MLB starting pitchers who relies almost exclusively on two pitches, a mid-90s fastball and an effective power slider.[36] His four-seam fastball has good velocity, averaging about 95 mph. He also has a two-seamer with similar velocity. His primary weapon against right-handed hitters is a hard slurve in the upper 80s. Against left-handed hitters, he often uses a changeup (85–89) and occasionally a curveball (78–81).[37]

See also

References

  1. "Jackson's unlikely career highlighted by unlikely no-hitter". CNN. June 26, 2010.
  2. "Edwin Jackson: Biography and Career Highlights". MLB.com. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  3. "Yahoo! Sports Player Profile".
  4. 1 2 "Tampa Bay Devil Rays Player File".
  5. "Dodgers acquire Baez, Carter from Devil Rays". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  6. Chuck, Bill. 100 random things about the Red Sox, Rays, and Yankees, The Boston Globe. Published April 2, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  7. "Rays ship Jackson to Tigers for Joyce". Tampa Bay Rays. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  8. "Detroit Tigers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  9. "Blue Jays rally to beat Tigers 5–4". Sports.yahoo.com. April 7, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  10. "Jackson shuts down Mariners in 2–0 Tigers win". Sports.yahoo.com. April 19, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  11. AP Photo. "Tigers' Curtis Granderson triples, scores winning run for American League in eighth inning". Mlive.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  12. "American League All-Stars vs. National League All-Stars – Play-by-Play". ESPN.com. July 14, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  13. Bryan Hoch (December 8, 2009). "Granderson joins Yanks in three-way trade". Newyork.yankees.mlb.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  14. "Jackson Tosses No-Hitter". ESPN.com. June 25, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  15. Boeck, Scott (June 25, 2010). "Diamondbacks' Edwin Jackson throws no-hitter vs. Rays". USA Today. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  16. Berry, Adam (June 25, 2010). "No-no turns Tampa Bay into Jackson-ville". MLB.com (Major League Baseball Advanced Media). Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  17. Steve Gilbert (July 30, 2010). "D-backs get righty Hudson from White Sox". MLB.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  18. "Chicago White Sox trade Daniel Hudson to Arizona Diamondbacks for Edwin Jackson". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  19. Nowak, Joey. "White Sox send Jackson to Blue Jays for Frasor". MLB.com. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  20. "Cardinals deal Rasmus to Jays in three-team mega-deal". Sporting News. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  21. Frenette, Brad. "Blue Jays acquire top prospect Colby Rasmus in three-team deal". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  22. "St. Louis Cardinals trade Colby Rasmus to Toronto Blue Jays in multi-player trade". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  23. Leach, Matthew (December 8, 2011). "Pujols, Jackson decline arbitration with Cards". MLB.com. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  24. Adam Kilgore (February 3, 2012). "Leftover thoughts on the Edwin Jackson signing". Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  25. Kilgore, Adam (February 3, 2012). "Details emerge on Edwin Jackson's contract". Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  26. "The $52 million question: How do Cubs fix Edwin Jackson?". CSN Chicago. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  27. Wittenmeyer, Gordon (April 3, 2015). "It's official: Wood wins last spot in Cubs' rotation, Edwin Jackson to pen". Chicago Sun-Times.
  28. "Cubs designate Edwin Jackson for assignment". Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  29. "Cubs release RHP Edwin Jackson". Associated Press. July 27, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  30. "Edwin Jackson, released by Cubs in July, signs to pitch in Braves bullpen". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 14, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  31. O'Brien, David (August 14, 2015). "Braves sign veteran pitcher Edwin Jackson". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  32. Bowman, Mark (August 14, 2015). "Braves add veteran Jackson to bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  33. Odum, Charles (August 15, 2015). "Jackson shines in relief but Braves fall to Diamondbacks 8-4". Associated Press. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  34. Bowman, Mark (October 4, 2015). "Dominant start boosts Wisler's confidence". MLB.com. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  35. "Marlins sign Edwin Jackson". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  36. "seattlesportsinsider.com". seattlesportsinsider.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  37. "PITCHf/x Player Card: Edwin Jackson". BrooksBaseball.net. Retrieved April 27, 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edwin Jackson.
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Wily Mo Peña
Youngest player in the National League
2003–2004
Succeeded by
Matt Cain
Achievements
Preceded by
Roy Halladay
No-hitter pitcher
June 25, 2010
Succeeded by
Matt Garza
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