The Los Angeles Dodgers used a franchise-record 39 pitchers last year, some of whom had never appeared at the big league level before the 2021 season. The group included Andre Jackson, who is among the organization’s top pitching prospects.
The 25-year-old began his campaign at Double-A Tulsa and excelled to the tune of a 3-2 record with a 3.27 ERA over 15 games en route to making an appearance in the annual Futures Game.
Jackson earned a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City at the start of August and pitched in two games, allowing a combined three runs on five hits over eight innings of work.
The Dodgers recalled Jackson as part of a series of roster moves on Aug. 16, and he went on to follow Justin Bruihl as the bulk pitcher in that night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The right-hander enjoyed a successful MLB debut as he yielded just two hits and collected five strikeouts over four scoreless innings. “It was awesome,” Jackson said of his first big league appearance.
“It was everything I thought it was going to be and more. It was weird. I didn’t have the nerves I thought I was going to have, so I’m very grateful for that. But that last pitch I threw, I really felt the energy of the crowd. It really was awesome. I don’t have words.”
Jackson split the remainder of the 2021 season with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, Oklahoma City and the Dodgers. In three overall appearances at the MLB level, he went 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA, 4.11 FIP and 1.37 WHIP across 11.2 innings pitched.
Jackson’s 2021 highlight
As previously mentioned, Jackson tossed four shutout innings in his first MLB game against the Pirates. He became the first player in the modern era to strike out at least five batters, issue four walks and allow no runs in a relief appearance for his big league debut.
2022 outlook
Considering he has thrown only 26.1 innings at the Triple-A level, Jackson likely will begin the 2022 season with the Dodgers’ top affiliate as he looks to continue his development.
Assuming he picks up where he left off from last year, Jackson figures to receive Major League opportunities over the course of the 2022 season as well.
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