Jay Jackson

Jackson latched on with the Brewers prior to the 2019 season after spending three campaigns in the Japan Central League with the Hiroshima Carp, posting a 2.10 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 across 175 appearances. After opening the season with Triple-A San Antonio, the right-hander was promoted near the end of April, marking his first time back in the majors since debuting with the Padres in 2015. Jackson struggled in his first stint with the Brewers, allowing five runs in 2.1 innings, but fared much better after returning following the All-Star break, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB across his final 28 innings. Jackson proved he has impressive strikeout stuff (13.9 K/9 and 18.1% swinging strike rate), though he'll likely need to cut down on the walks (5.3 BB/9) and home runs (1.8 HR/9) if he wants to work his way into a higher-leverage relief role in 2020.

While Jackson failed to claim a bullpen spot out of camp, he did earn his first major-league call-up in September on the strength of a combined 2.42 ERA and 1.09 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A. The right-hander was virtually untouchable early on with San Antonio, earning a promotion to El Paso less than a month into the campaign. The results with El Paso weren't quite as eye-popping, but the numbers were strong nonetheless, with the 28-year-old saving 14 games and finishing 25 games in total for the Chihuahuas, with more than four strikeouts for every walk. His first exposure to major-league hitting was rocky, and Jackson opted to leave North America for an opportunity to pitch in Japan in 2016.

As a 22-year-old at Triple-A, Jackson held his own, but not much more. On the positive side, his command improved significantly (just 2.75 BB/9IP), but he was inconsistent from start to start, and his strikeout rate dropped to 6.82 K/9IP from 8.16 at Double-A the year before. Jackson also moved into the bullpen for seven effective appearances before returning to the rotation in late May. Jackson throws a low-90s fastball, with a changeup, slider and curve, and should get a chance to compete for one of the last rotation spots this spring.

With a low-90s fastball, and a promising curve, slider and changeup, Jackson climbed through three levels last year, missing bats and keeping the ball in the park along the way. His command is still an issue as he walked 39 in 82.2 Double-A innings, but Jackson is not far away from a major league debut. Expect him to compete for the No. 5 starter job in camp, but unless he blows the Cubs away, he'll begin the year at Triple-A.

Jackson has pitched extremely well as a pro so far, dominating High-A ball in his first look at professional hitters. He could be a big bargain in the ninth round, thanks to a 90+ fastball and better-than-expected breaking stuff.