Luke Jackson

Luke Ray Jackson (born August 24, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners. He was drafted by the Rangers in the first round, 45th overall, of the 2010 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with them in 2015.

Early life Jackson attended Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As a senior, he went 8–0 with an 0.90 earned run average (ERA) in innings pitched with 87 strikeouts for the baseball team. He graduated in 2010.

Professional career Texas Rangers Minor leagues The Texas Rangers drafted Jackson in the first round, with the 45th overall selection of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Rangers for a signing bonus of $1.545 million, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at the University of Miami. He made his professional debut in 2011 for the Hickory Crawdads, going 5–6 with a 5.64 ERA.

Jackson started 2012 with Hickory and was promoted to the High-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans in June. For the two teams, he was 10–7 with a 4.65 ERA with 146 strikeouts, the second-most among Rangers minor leaguers, in 129.2 innings, and had 10.1 strikeouts per 9 innings. He was named a Carolina League Mid-Season All-Star. Jackson was promoted to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders during the season. Between the two teams, he was 11–4 with a 2.04 ERA (the 8th-lowest ERA among all full season minor league pitchers) and 134 strikeouts in 25 games (23 starts) and 128 innings. He was named a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star. However, he was sent back down to Round Rock on August 11, before making an appearance with the Rangers, making him a phantom ballplayer.

Major leagues The Rangers again promoted Jackson to the major leagues on September 1. His MLB debut on September 4 went poorly: he allowed an RBI double to C. J. Cron of the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, giving up 2 runs and getting 2 outs. In 2015 with Texas, Jackson earned no decisions, had a 4.26 ERA in innings, and his fastball velocity of 96.8 miles per hour was in the top 5% in baseball.

Jackson split the 2016 season between the Rangers (he had a 10.80 ERA in innings in 8 games), the 15-day disabled list (back stiffness), and the minors (with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock; he was 1–1 with three saves and a 3.69 ERA in innings over 36 relief appearances).

In 2017 in the majors, Jackson was 2–0 with a 4.62 ERA in innings over 43 relief appearances. Batters had a 41.5% hard-hit percentage against him, in the highest 2% in baseball.

Jackson had his contract purchased by Atlanta on April 4, 2018, but he was designated for assignment a second time on April 15. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. He had his contract purchased again on May 6, then was again removed from the roster two days later. On June 5, he was called up once again. Jackson was later designated for assignment once more on June 13. He was called up once again on June 17. With Gwinnett in 2018, he was 2–1 with a 1.69 ERA across innings in which he struck out 34 batters in 10 games (one start).

In 2019, Jackson served as the team's closer for much of the first half of the season. He was 9–2 with a career-high 18 saves, a 3.84 ERA, and 106 strikeouts in innings over 70 relief appearances. Jackson induced a 60.5% ground ball percentage, the third-highest in baseball (minimum 70 innings). His 31 holds ranked second in the major leagues. He won a championship that year as Atlanta won the World Series in six games.

In early April 2022, the Braves disclosed that magnetic resonance imaging had revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of Jackson's right elbow. He underwent successful Tommy John surgery on that elbow on April 13. In May, Jackson lost his arbitration case, receiving a $3.6 million salary for the 2022 season. He missed the 2022 season due to injury. He would earn $3 million in 2023, and $6.5 million in 2024. The Giants had an option for $7 million for 2025, with a $2 million buyout if declined. After rehab stints with the Single-A San Jose Giants and Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, Jackson was activated from the injured list on May 30. He debuted with the Giants the next night, his first appearance in the majors since the 2021 World Series. He was 2–2 with two blown saves in 33 games, with a 2.97 ERA and 43 strikeouts in innings.

Jackson started the 2024 season with a 4–2 record, 5.40 ERA, and 33 strikeouts in 35 innings. At the end of the season, the Braves declined the option on Jackson's contract, making him a free agent.

Texas Rangers (second stint) On February 17, 2025, Jackson signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers. He was the team's closer early in the season. In 39 appearances for the Rangers, he had a 2–5 record and 4.11 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 9 saves over 35 innings of work. Jackson was designated for assignment by Texas on July 23. He was released by the team the following day. In three appearances for Detroit, he struggled to a 7.71 ERA with four strikeouts across innings pitched. Jackson was designated for assignment by the Tigers on August 8; he elected free agency two days later.

Seattle Mariners On August 21, 2025, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. In three appearances for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, he struggled to a 7.71 ERA with four strikeouts across innings pitched. On September 1, the Mariners selected Jackson's contract, adding him to their active roster. In 10 games for Seattle during the final month of the season, he allowed 6 runs (only 3 of them earned) and struck out 10 in innings.

New York Mets On April 4, 2026, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. He made five appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, posting an 0-1 record and 11.57 ERA with two strikeouts across innings pitched; he also logged three scoreless appearances for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets. On May 16, Jackson triggered the opt-out clause in his contract, and was released by the Mets the following day.

Kansas City Royals On May 22, 2026, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. In 10 appearances for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, he compiled a 1–0 record and 5.27 ERA with 16 strikeouts across innings pitched. Jackson was released by the Royals organization on June 23.

Personal life Jackson is married. Their son was born in September 2021. He cuddled his son after pitching in Game 3 of the 2021 World Series.