Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on RHP Luke Jackson

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Jun 8, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Luke Jackson (77) throws during the game against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Braves acquired Luke Jackson for righty Tyrell Jenkins and lefty Brady Feigl. What did they get in this former first rounder?

Who Is He?

The Atlanta Braves traded for Jackson in December to open space on their 40-man roster occupied by both Jenkins. Jackson was originally drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft, the 45th overall selection by the Rangers.

Jackson started in 2011 with the Rangers’ low-A team in Hickory, a very aggressive move for a high school pitcher. He predictably struggled on the season, though he did have flashes of the big stuff he had. He made 19 starts, throwing 75 innings with a 5.64 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, and a 48/78 BB/K ratio.

In 2012, the Rangers started Jackson back at Hickory, but he struggled again. In spite of his struggles, the Rangers sent him to their Myrtle Beach high-A team, where he surprisingly put up even better numbers. Overall, he made 26 starts, throwing 129 2/3 innings with a 4.65 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and a 65/146 BB/K ratio.

In 2013, the Rangers sent him back to the Carolina League and high-A, where he had a dominant season before making a late appearance in AA that was even more impressive, in spite of throwing in the hitter-friendly Texas League. His overall numbers on the year were 25 games (23 starts), 128 innings, 2.04 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 59/134 BB/K ratio.

After that positive season, the Rangers sent him to AA Frisco again, and he had success, earning a midseason promotion to AAA in the Pacific Coast League, and it went extremely rough, with a 10.38 ERA in AAA. Overall, his line was 26 games (24 starts), throwing 123 innings with a 5.41 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, and 52/126 BB/K ratio.

The Rangers made the move to put Jackson into the bullpen in 2015. He struggled in the role, but he showed excellent promise. He threw 66 1/3 innings with a 4.34 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and a 35/79 BB/K ratio in AAA. He also got a late season promotion to Texas and had roughly a similar performance, throwing 6 1/3 innings with a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 2/6 BB/K.

2016 saw Jackson continue his adaption to the bullpen, and he split minor league time between AA and AAA, throwing 46 1/3 innings, with a 3.69 combined ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 32/59 BB/K ratio before throwing 11 2/3 innings with Texas in the majors with a 10.80 ERA, 2.57 WHIP, and 8/3 BB/K.

Next: Jackson's scouting report

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