Edwin Jackson | PITCHER BIO

Biography

Edwin Jackson Jr.

...Graduated from Shaw High School in Columbus, Ga. in 2001.

...His father is retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Edwin Jackson.


2001 Highlights

Pitched in 12 games for the Gulf Coast League Eastern Division champion Dodgers, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA.

...also served as the designated hitter for eight games and batted .308 (8-for-26) with a home run.


2002 Highlights

Honored as the Dodger organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year after a stellar season for South Georgia.

...made 19 starts and went 5-2 with a 1.98 ERA, allowing just 79 hits and 33 walks while fanning 85.

...went 4-2 with a 1.50 ERA in his last 13 starts, including not allowing an earned run in seven of the games.

...limited opposing hitters to a .206 average.

...the 1.98 ERA tied for first among all Dodger full-season minor leaguers.

...did not allow a run in seven starts and just one run in six others.


2003 Highlights

Had his contract purchased from Double-A Jacksonville on Sept. 7.

...appeared in four games (three starts) for the Dodgers and went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA.

...on 20th birthday, made Major League debut on Sept. 9 at Arizona, becoming thirdyoungest pitcher to start a game for the L.A. Dodgers, trailing Joe Moeller in 1962 (19 years, two months) and Dick Calmus in 1963 (19 years, seven months), and youngest L.A. Dodger to win his first start.

...became third player born in Germany to appear for the Dodgers.

...in Sept. 9 big league debut, gave up one run, four hits, no walks and struck out four in 6.0 innings of 4-1 win vs. Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks.

...became fifth pitcher in MLB history to make his debut as a starting pitcher on his birthday, the last being Larry Dierker for Houston in 1964 at age 18.

...hurled 7.0 innings, but lost his next start, Sept. 17 vs. Arizona, 2-0, as he gave up two solo homers to Luis Gonzalez.

...was victorious in his third start, tossing 6.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits, striking out seven and overcoming eight walks, in 5-0 win at San Francisco on Sept. 27.

...with Double-A Jacksonville, was 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 27 starts.

...was second in the Southern League and led Dodger minor leaguers with 157 strikeouts in 148.1 innings.

...selected to pitch in the All-Star Futures Game, the Southern League All-Star Game and was named to the 2003 SportsTicker All-Teen Team.

...chosen as Southern League Pitcher of the Week for May 16-22.

...held left-handed hitters to a .181 average and righties to a .244 mark.

...rated by Baseball America as having the best fastball and as the best pitching prospect in Southern League.

...allowed three earned runs or less in 22 of his 27 starts.

...allowed more hits than innings pitched just seven times in 27 starts and struck out at least as many batters as innings pitched in 18 of his starts.

...pitched 7.0 shutout innings and won his first game on April 27 vs. Birmingham.

...allowed two runs and just four hits in the Aug. 11 game, one of 15 starts in which he allowed four hits or less.

CAREER SUMMARY: Begins his fourth season as a professional with a 16-11 record and a 2.91 ERA in 62 games.

...ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Dodger organization.

...also tabbed by the publication as having the best fastball in the system.

...has allowed three earned runs or less in 56 of 62 appearances.

...made a big impact in seeing his first Major League action in 2003, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four games (three starts).

...was named to the Sportsticker All-Teen Team in 2003 as he went 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 27 starts for Double-A Jacksonville.

...named by Sportsticker as the sixth-best right-handed pitching prospect in baseball.

...Baseball America rated him as having the best fastball and as being the best pitching prospect in the Southern League and he entered the 2003 season ranked as the third-best prospect in the Dodger organization and the 99th best in baseball according to the same publication.

...was named the Dodger organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2002.

...made his Major League debut on his 20th birthday on Sept. 9, 2003 at Arizona, becoming the third- youngest pitcher to start a game for the L.A. Dodgers, trailing Joe Moeller in 1962 (19 years, two months) and Dick Calmus in 1963 (19 years, seven months).

...Jackson became the youngest L.A. Dodger to win his first start as he defeated Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks 4-1.


2004 Highlights

Was 2-1 with a 7.30 ERA in eight appearances, including five starts.

...entered the 2004 season ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the Dodger organization.

... the publication also rated him as the fourth-best prospect in baseball and as having the best fastball in the Dodger organization.

...was the youngest player in the National League and the sixth-youngest player in the Major Leagues.

...recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 2 and defeated Milwaukee 5-2 that night at Dodger Stadium.

...allowed one run on three hits, while walking three and striking out three.

...surrendered a leadoff home run to Scott Podsednik, then pitched 5.0 scoreless innings.

...optioned back to Triple-A on June 4.

...recalled prior to his start on July 3 at Anaheim.

...allowed two runs in 1.2 innings before leaving the start with a mild strain in his right elbow.

...allowed a two-run homer in the first inning to Vladimir Guerrero.

...retired the first two batters he faced in the second inning, before going 3-0 to Robb Quinlan and leaving the game due to the strain.

...the Dodgers won the game.

...defeated Houston July 8 at Dodger Stadium, 7- 2.

...allowed two runs on five hits in 5.0 innings and collected his first career hit and RBI.

...placed on the disabled list on July 9 with a strained right forearm and was reinstated on Sept. 7.

...pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Sept. 15 in the Dodgers' 7-3 loss vs. San Diego.

...started on Sept. 19 at Colorado and had no decision in the Dodgers' 7-6 win.

...allowed five runs on six hits in 4.2 innings, the first time in seven career starts that he allowed more than two runs.

...allowed a career-high six runs in 3.1 innings, but had no decision in the Dodgers' 8-7 win on Sept. 27 vs. Colorado.

...his final appearance of the season was in relief on Oct. 3 vs. San Francisco, when he allowed three runs in 2.0 innings.

...spent most of the season in Triple- A Las Vegas, including making four rehabilitation starts for the 51s.

...went 6-4 with a 5.86 ERA (59 ER/90.2 IP) in 19 starts for Las Vegas.

...allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his 19 starts for the 51s.

...was 2-2 with a 6.68 ERA (25 ER/33.2 IP) in seven games at home and was 4-2 with a 5.37 ERA (34 ER/57.0 IP) in 12 starts on the road.

...allowed just four home runs in his 19 starts, none in his last nine.

...was 1-for-4 with an RBI as a batter with the Dodgers and hit .381 (8-for-21) with three home runs and seven RBI for Las Vegas.

...went 2-for-2 with two homers and three RBI on Aug. 31 at Edmonton.


2005 Highlights

Entered the season ranked as the third best prospect in the Dodgers organization by Baseball America.

...Had been ranked as the best prospect in the organization and the 4th best in all of baseball in 2004.

...Pitched most of the season between the Dodgers' AAA team at Las Vegas and AA team at Jacksonville before he was recalled by the major league club from Jacksonville on August 22 when LHP Odalis Perez went on the disabled list.

...Was a combined 9-11 with a 5.91 ERA at Jacksonville and Las Vegas.

...Pitched in 7 games, 6 starts for the Dodgers.

...In his 2nd start after recall he defeated Houston and 20-game winner Roy Oswalt, 8-3 (IP-5.1, H-6, R-3, ER-3, BB-2, SO-6).

...The 5.1 innings matched his season high with the Dodgers.

...Snapped a 3-game Dodgers' losing streak.

... He also defeated the Pirates 9-4 on Sep 26 (IP-5.1, H-4, ER-1, BB-4, SO-0).

...In his last start of the season on Oct. 1 he didn't get the decision, but combined with 5 other Dodgers on a 3-hit, 2-1 win over the NL West Division Champion Padres at SD.

...His line: IP-5, H-3, R-1, ER-1, BB-1, SO-0.

...In two starts against the Rockies he was 0-1 (IP-6.1, ER-11).

...He was 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA (IP-22.1, ER-9) against everyone else.

...In fact, in his brief major league career he is 0-1 (13.81, IP-14.1, ER-22) in 4 games against the Rockies and 6-3 against the rest of the league (3.54, IP-61, ER-24).

...Began the season at AAA Las Vegas, but allowed 118 base runners in 55.1 innings and was sent to AA Jacksonville on June 15.

...Was 1-6 in his last 7 games.

...In a little over two months he went 6-4 with Jacksonville, the eventual Southern League champion.

...Was 3-0 in his last 4 starts for the Suns and was named SL Pitcher of the Week his last week before recall.

...Beat the Rays affiliate Montgomery in back-to-back starts on July 8 and 17...Rays prospect Elijah Dukes took him deep in the July 17 win.

...Hurled 8.0 shutout innings and allowed just three hits, walked one, while striking out a season-high eight, winning, 1-0, over Chattanooga on Aug. 8.

2006 Highlights

22-year-old made three tours with the Rays.

...originally recalled from AAA Durham to make a spot start April 22 at Texas filling in for an injured Mark Hendrickson (left shoulder tightness).

...worked 7.0 innings surrendering 5 runs on 3 hits and 6 walks while striking out 7.

...retired his final 11 batters faced.

...drew a no-decision in the Rays 6-5 walk-off loss.

...allowed a 4-run second inning anchored by a Kevin Mench 3-run home run.

...Returned to Durham April 26.

...struggled to a 1-6 record and a 6.48 ERA in 11 appearances, 10 starts, with the Bulls as opponents batted .300 (61-203).

...Recalled a second time on June 21 when RH Seth McClung was optioned to AAA.

...made 15 appearances out of the bullpen (IP-17.2, H-27, 17-R, 12-ER) allowing at least a run in 9 of them.

...was optioned back to Durham Aug. 7 when Dan Miceli came off the DL.

...Took on the closers role upon his return to the Bulls going 5-for-6 in save opp's allowing just 2 ER in 9.0 IP (2.00 ERA) with 11 K's and only 3 walks.

...Returned to the Rays for a third time following the Sept 1 game against Seattle.

...made six appearances working to a 2.45 ERA (11.0-IP, 10-H, 3-R/ER).

...Exited Sept 16 at Toronto when an Adam Lind line drive struck him in the back of the head in the 8th inning.

...had worked 1.1 scoreless up to that point (2-H, 1-BB, 1-SO).

...was sidelined 8 days.

...Returned Sept 24 to throw 2.0 innings of relief against the Yankees in the Rays' 11-4 win (2-H, 1-R/ER, 1-SO).

...4 of his final 5 outings o\n the year were 2.0 innings.

...18 of his 22 relief appearances were an inning or more.

...Owned a 1.23 ERA in the 7 appearances when he threw 2 innings (14.2-IP, 2-ER).

...worked to a 9.20 mark in his 15 other outings (14.2-IP, 15-ER).

...Tossed a season-high 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in the season finale, Oct 1, in Cleveland.

...was his longest relief outing since Sept 22, 2003 at San Diego (with the Dodgers).


2007 Highlights

Made 31 starts, one of 3 Rays with 30 starts .

... third on the staff with 161 innings.

... tied for 3rd in the AL with 15 losses matching Tony Saunders (1998), Mark Hendrickson (2004), Bobby Witt (1999) for the second most in club history.

... Among AL pitchers with 20 or more starts, he had the 6th lowest run support receiving only 4.26 runs per 9 IP.

... Only 3 major league pitchers who made 30 or more starts had a higher ERA than Jackson's 5.77 mark: Adam Eaton (PHI, 6.29), Scott Olsen (FL, 5.81) and Jose Contreras (CWS, 5.79). Allowed 16.02 base runners per 9 IP, 4th highest among Major League starters with 20 or more starts.

... Charged with 13 unearned runs, tops on the staff and 6th most in the AL.

... Had six starts when he worked 6 innings and allowed 2 ER or less and didn't get a win and 10 starts when he worked 6 innings and allowed 3 ER or less and didn't get a win.

... 5 times he left a game without the Rays scoring a run for him.

... Dropped his first 8 decisions over 13 starts before beating his former team, the Dodgers, 9-4, on June 24.

... His line: IP-6.0, H-9, R-2, ER-2, BB-1, SO-2.

... Beginning with that game, started a stretch in which he pitched to a 3.45 ERA (IP-65.2, ER-25) over his next 12 starts through Aug 22.

... was 4-4 during that stretch.

... for comparison's sake, Boston's Tim Wakefield pitched to a 4.10 ERA over that same stretch and won twice as many games.

... Handed the AL Champion Red Sox two losses including a 5-4 win at home on Sep 23 over Wakefield who had been 9-0 at Tropicana Field and 19-2 all-time vs. the Rays.

... Posted the AL's 3rd best ERA against AL Central Champion Cleveland (Min 15 IP) in 3 starts (IP- 18, ER-6), but was 0-1.

... the Rays lost all 3 games by scores of 2-1, 2-1 and 4-3.

... only Boston's Josh Beckett (1.80) and teammate James Shields (2.66) had better ERAs against the Tribe.

... On Aug 11 at Texas he threw the first complete game of his career -- a 4-hit shutout ending the Rays streak of 119 games without one.

... It was the Rays 15th complete game shutout, first against Texas.

... Retired 16 of the first 17 batters he faced.

... Followed that with a pair of 2-1 games: lost to Cleveland on Aug 17 (IP-6, H-7, ER-2, BB-5, SO-4) and beat Boston and Daisuke Matsuzaka on Aug 22 (IP-6, H-5, ER-1, BB-5, SO-3).

... On Aug 27 he took a shutout into the 7th inning at Chicago, but surrendered three straight home runs (tying a club record) and the Rays wound up losing, 5-4.

... Had 7 starts in which he didn't allow a run before the 5th inning.


2008 Highlights

Won a career-best 14 games for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, tying the club record for victories in a single season.

...Tied for eighth in the American League with 77 walks.

...Won his first two starts of the season, April 5 at Yankee Stadium versus New York and April 10 versus Seattle -- surrendered just one run in 14.0 innings of work (0.64 ERA), becoming just the fifth pitcher since 1920 to win his first two starts of the season and allow one run-or-fewer in both outings while coming off a season in which the pitcher lost 10-or-more games.

...he joined Philadelphia's Bobo Newsom (1946), Oakland's Matt Keough (1980), Texas' Rick Honeycutt (1983) and Atlanta's Tom Glavine (1989).

...Did not allow a run in 20.0 consecutive innings over a three-start stretch May 8-18 -- established a Rays record for a starting pitcher.

...Joe Borowski holds the Rays record with 21.0 scoreless innings of relief in 2005.

...Suspended five games for his role in a bench-clearing incident on June 5 at Boston -- served the five-game suspension June 22-28.

...Established a career best with a four-game winning streak July 25-August 10 -- compiled a 3.18 ERA (22.2IP/8ER) over the four-start stretch.

...Posted a 4-1 record and 2.27 ERA (31.2IP/8ER) in five starts during August -- tied for fourth in the American League with four wins during the month, while he finished sixth with a 2.27 ERA.

...Compiled a 5-6 record and 3.93 ERA (110.0IP/48ER) in 18 starts prior to the all-star break.

...finished 9-5 with a 5.15 ERA (73.1IP/42ER) in 14 appearances (13 starts) following the all-star break -- tied for second in the American League with nine wins following the all-star break.


2009 Highlights

Selected to the AL All-Star Team, his first overall selection, in his only season with the Tigers.

... Set career bests with a 3.62 ERA, 33 starts, 214.0 innings pitched, 161 strikeouts, 21 quality starts and a .247 opponents batting average.

... Among AL pitchers, ranked fourth with a 3.05 road ERA (39 ER in 115.0 IP), seventh with a 3.62 ERA and 214.0 innings pitched while his .227 opponents average with runners in scoring position (39-for-172) was 10th-lowest.

... In April, his 2.25 ERA (8 ER in 32.0 IP) over 5 starts ranked fifth in the AL.

... Limited opponents to 3 earned runs or less in 16 consecutive starts from May 9-Aug. 5 to become one of three pitchers over the last 60 years to accomplish the feat along with Jack Morris (19 in 1983) and Mickey Lolich (16 in 1969).

... Did not issue a walk on May 15 vs. Athletics and June 28 @ Astros, the third and fourth times in his career, respectively, that he has not walked a batter when pitching 5.0 or more innings.

... His 4 wins in May matched his career high for a month (also August 2008).

... Closed his second career complete game on June 6 vs. Angels by striking out the side in the ninth inning to seal a 2-1 win.

...became the first pitcher to go the distance in a one-run win and strike out the side in the ninth inning since Milwaukee's C.C. Sabathia on July 13, 2008 vs. Reds.

...prior to Sabathia, the feat was last accomplished by Philadelphia's Curt Schilling on Sept. 19, 1998 vs. Expos.

... Recorded a career-best 7 consecutive quality starts from June 17-July 25.

... Matched his career-high (third time) with 9 strikeouts on July 4 @ Twins.

... In 18 starts prior to the All-Star break, went 7-4 with a 2.52 ERA (34 ER in 121.2 IP), the lowest ERA by a Tigers pitcher prior to the break since Mark Fidrych's 1.78 ERA in 1976.

... In his first All-Star Game appearance, tossed a perfect fifth inning.

...was one of six AL relievers to throw a perfect inning in the game, marking the first time in All-Star Game history that a league had more than four pitchers throw at least one inning and not allow a baserunner.