A New Flamethrower For The Atlanta Braves Pen?

Could Luke Jackson Break Camp For The Braves?

The Atlanta Braves could end up having a bullpen full of flameballers at some point this season. They already have Arodys Vizcaino that reaches 98-mph with his fastball, Jose Ramirez whose is around 96-mph and Mauricio Cabrera who threw a 103-mph fastball last season.

A new wave knocking at the door consists of the highly anticipated AJ Minter and recently acquired Luke Jackson. Minter is likely to start the season in AAA to give him some additional time to get used to making consecutive appearances since he didn’t really do so last season. However, he’ll be on the main roster sooner than later.

Someone that has a better chance to break camp is 25-year-old Luke Jackson. Jackson was acquired in early December from the Texas Ranger via trade that saw the Braves sending away Tyrell Jenkins and Brady Feigl.

Jackson has not had the best performance in his two stints in the Ranger’s bullpen but showed promise. Scouting reports on him explains the arm that he has, throwing fastballs up to 96-97 mph. An article and video package by Zach Dillad of Fox Sports said Jackson is also capable of reaching triple digits but also points out his issue.

"“The right-hander flashes a fastball sitting in the high-90s and touches triple digits to go with three complementary pitches in need of refinement, but his biggest concern is command. In 18 innings pitched, Jackson walked five batters per nine with an unsustainable home-run rate (2.50). His ERA over that span was 8.50.”"

The young pitcher made his Braves debut during their first spring game on Saturday pitching a perfect ninth inning. He impressed in his appearance with two groundouts and a strikeout to end the game in which the Braves beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4.

Jackson was a first round pick by the Rangers in 2010 and went through the system from starting at Single-A to AAA and eventually making call-ups to the main roster. His best season was in 2013 where he produced a 2.04 ERA but that was when he was used mostly as a starter.

A reoccurring issue that Jackson had was his command. In his minor league career, he’s given up dozens of walks and gave up 10 between the two stints in the majors. So far he has yet to give up any for Atlanta but that would be a reason for him to start the year in the minors again, possibly AA or AAA.

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Another thing is that the Braves already have hurlers in their bullpen and pretty good ones. Cabrera and Vizcaino did good last season; and while Ramirez didn’t do so well his first stint with the Braves, he kind of cleaned it up the second time around.

The chance and risk of hurlers is how long they can last. Last season each of those players had instances where they “burned out.” In those periods, the pitchers would seem like they couldn’t find success and this was quite visible in Vizcaino in which he was eventually placed on the disabled list and lost the closer role.

That role would eventually go to Jim Johnson. So it wouldn’t hurt to have another flamethrower.

However, speaking of Johnson, the bullpen also has other guys besides the hurlers too. There is Ian Krol, Jason Hursh, Chaz Roe, and possibly a returning Paco Rodriguez plus Johnson.

That would be eight guys already coming from the pen. The best chance for Jackson would to be for Hursh to go back down in the minors and if Akeel Morris or Eric O’Flaherty don’t replace him.

Next: Slide On Down

For sure, Jackson will at some point be on the main roster – same with Minter – but I wouldn’t be surprised if they let him get some time down on the farm. It’s a little early to tell but if he keeps impressing this spring, there is a chance he could be on the main roster for Opening Day.

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