The Blue Jays have apparently called up reliever Jay Jackson
11 months ago
The Blue Jays have called up a new reliever.
Per Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Blue Jays have called up reliever Jay Jackson, likely to replace the injured Zach Pop.
As you may know, the 35-year-old right-handed pitcher was one of the final cuts from spring training. He pitched 9.1 innings in spring training, not allowing a run and posting a 35.1 K% and a 5.4 BB%.
Originally, Jackson was released, but then signed an interesting contract, which you can read about here. He was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he’s been good, despite the high ERA and FIP.
In 10.2 innings pitched with Toronto’s Triple-A team, he has a 5.91 ERA and a 5.18 FIP. However, he also has a 31.3 K% and a 4.2 BB%, for an excellent K-BB% of 27.1%. Moreover, the high ERA came from two consecutive poor games early in the season, where he gave up six runs over a 2.1 innings pitched stretch. Since those two games, he has a 1.42 ERA and a 3.97 FIP in 6.2 innings pitched.
Jackson’s slider is his best pitch, as it has a whiff percentage of 42.4% (swings and misses divided by total swings). It’s an excellent out pitch with tons of horizontal sweep. His fastball has averaged 93 mph as well, although it has a lower whiff% of 14.3%.
Despite this, Jackson is a fresh arm with major league experience, and could certainly help a bullpen that has been heavily utilized the past few series.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Brennan_L_D.
ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO
Recent articles from Ryley Delaney
