Zach Jackson

Zachary Garrett Jackson (born December 25, 1994) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics. The Toronto Blue Jays selected Jackson in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut in 2022.

High school and college Jackson attended Berryhill High School in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In his final high school season, he was named a second-team All-American by Baseball America after pitching to a 13–1 win–loss record, 0.38 earned run average (ERA), and 147 strikeouts in 72 innings. Jackson graduated with a 4.0 grade point average, and was the valedictorian of his class.

Professional career Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays selected Jackson in the third round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. After one appearance in the GCL, Jackson was promoted to the Low-A Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League, where he ended the season. Jackson made 14 relief appearances in 2016, and went 1–1 with a 3.38 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 18 innings. In 2019, he played for the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons, appearing in 46 games and posting a 3.97 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 68 innings of work. Jackson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oakland Athletics On December 10, 2020, Jackson was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He split the 2021 campaign between the Double-A Midland RockHounds and Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, accumulating a 2-2 record and 2.57 ERA with 47 strikeouts and six saves across 25 relief outings.

On April 7, 2022, the Athletics selected Jackson's contract, adding him to their Opening Day roster. Jackson made 54 appearances for Oakland during his rookie campaign, compiling a 2-3 record and 3.00 ERA with 67 strikeouts and three saves over 48 innings of work.

In 2023, Jackson posted a 2.50 ERA in 19 appearances out of Oakland's bullpen before he was placed on the injured list with a right flexor tendon strain on May 19, 2023. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 21.

Jackson was optioned to Triple–A Las Vegas to begin the 2024 season. He was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Alex Speas on April 6, 2024. Jackson cleared waivers and was sent outright to Las Vegas on April 10. In 35 appearances for the Aviators, he struggled to a 5-6 record and 7.08 ERA with 43 strikeouts across innings pitched. Jackson elected free agency following the season on November 4.

On January 16, 2025, Jackson announced his retirement from professional baseball.