Randy "Jay" Jackson (born October 27, 1987) is an American
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Mod ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...
who is a free agent. He has previously played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) for the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penn ...
,
Milwaukee Brewers,
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
,
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
, and
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
, and in
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...
(NPB) for the
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
The is a professional baseball team based in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. They compete in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball. The team is primarily owned by the Matsuda family, led by , who is a descendant of Mazda ...
and
Chiba Lotte Marines
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, in the Kantō region, and owned by Lotte Holdings Co., Ltd.
History
The Marines franchise began in 1950 as the Mainichi Orions, an inaugural ...
. Jackson played
college baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...
at
Furman University. He was drafted by the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
in the ninth round of the
2008 Major League Baseball draft.
Career
Chicago Cubs
Jackson attended
Christ Church Episcopal School
Christ Church Episcopal School (CCES) is a K–12 private, Episcopal, college-preparatory school in Greenville, South Carolina
)'' Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no)
, anthem = " Carolina";" ...
in
Greenville, South Carolina, and
Furman University. He was drafted by the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
in the ninth round, 281st overall, of the
2008 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Low-A
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. Home games are played at Memorial Stadium in Garden City, Idaho, a small city surroun ...
, and also played for the Single-A
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The team was established in 1983 as the Peoria Suns. They are located in Peoria, Illinois, and are named for the Peor ...
and the High-A
Daytona Cubs Daytona refers to the city of Daytona Beach, Florida, or things named after it.
Daytona may also refer to:
Locations
* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida
* South Daytona, Florida
* The Daytona Beach metropolitan area
* Halifax area, also known as ...
, posting a cumulative 2.88 ERA in 13 games. In 2009, Jackson split the year between Daytona, the Double-A
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in Kodak, Tennessee, a suburb of Knoxville. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They play at Smokies Stadium, directly off ...
, and the Triple-A
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. The ...
, pitching to an 8–7 record and 2.98 ERA in 24 games between the three teams. The following season, Jackson returned to Iowa and posted an 11–8 record and 4.63 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 157.1 innings of work. In 2011, Jackson again played with Iowa, registering an 8–14 record and 5.34 ERA in 26 appearances. In 2012, Jackson returned to Iowa for a fourth straight year, but struggled to a 3–7 record and 6.57 ERA in 37 appearances with the team. On April 4, 2013, Jackson was released by the Cubs organization.
Miami Marlins
On April 9, 2013, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
organization.
He split the year between the Double-A
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in Jacksonville, Florida, and are named for shrimp caught in the area. The team pla ...
and the Triple-A
New Orleans Zephyrs, pitching to a 4–7 record and 3.53 ERA with 93 strikeouts in 104.2 innings pitched between the two teams. On November 4, he elected free agency.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On November 20, 2013, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
organization that included an invitation to spring training.
He began the 2014 season with the Triple-A
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory Field, which open ...
, logging a 5–4 record and 4.89 ERA in 25 appearances.
Milwaukee Brewers
On August 7, 2014, Jackson was traded to the
Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations.
He finished the year with the Triple-A
Nashville Sounds, recording a 5.06 ERA in six starts. On November 4, he elected free agency.
San Diego Padres
On January 26, 2015, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penn ...
that included an invitation to spring training.
He began the year with the Double-A
San Antonio Missions before being promoted to the Triple-A
El Paso Chihuahuas
The El Paso Chihuahuas are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. They are located in El Paso, Texas, and play their home games at Southwest University Park, which opened ...
. On September 14, Jackson was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that day, pitching two-thirds of an inning against the
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The ...
and allowing two earned runs. He finished the year with a 6.23 ERA in six major league games. Jackson was released by the Padres on December 26 so he could pursue an opportunity in Japan.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
On December 26, 2015, Jackson signed with the
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
The is a professional baseball team based in Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. They compete in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball. The team is primarily owned by the Matsuda family, led by , who is a descendant of Mazda ...
of
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...
(NPB) for the 2016 season.
Jackson made 67 appearances for Hiroshima in 2016, posting a 5–4 record and 1.71 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 68.1 innings of work. The following year, Jackson pitched to a 2.76 ERA in 48 appearances for the team. In 2018 with the Carp, Jackson recorded a 2.76 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 45.2 innings pitched.
Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)
On February 15, 2019, Jackson signed a minor league deal with the
Milwaukee Brewers organization that included an invitation to
spring training
Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...
. He was assigned to the Triple-A
San Antonio Missions to begin the year. Jackson had his contract selected to the major leagues on April 29, 2019. Jackson allowed 5 runs in 2.1 innings before being designated for assignment on May 5 following the promotion of
Burch Smith
Burch Taylor Smith (born April 12, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Smith was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 11th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball d ...
. He was outrighted to San Antonio on May 8. With San Antonio, he was selected in the Triple-A All-Star team. The Brewers selected Jackson's contract back to the active roster on July 13. Jackson finished the year with a stellar 1.33 ERA in 34 appearances with San Antonio, and a 4.45 ERA in 28 games with Milwaukee. He became a free agent after the season.
Chiba Lotte Marines
On December 4, 2019, Jackson signed with the
Chiba Lotte Marines
The are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, in the Kantō region, and owned by Lotte Holdings Co., Ltd.
History
The Marines franchise began in 1950 as the Mainichi Orions, an inaugural ...
of
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation ...
(NPB). In seven games for Lotte in 2020, Jackson registered a 3.86 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 7.0 innings. On July 10, 2020, Jackson was arrested on suspicion of cannabis possession and was released by the Marines the same day.
Cincinnati Reds
On August 28, 2020, the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
signed Jackson to a minor league contract and added him to their 60-man player pool. Jackson did not play in a game for the Reds organization due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
. He became a free agent on November 2.
San Francisco Giants
On January 8, 2021, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to 2015, the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics for 15 ...
to begin the year, and pitched 11.0 scoreless innings with the team. On July 16, Jackson was selected to the Giants' active roster.
In the 2021 regular season with the Giants, Jackson was 2-1 with a 3.74 ERA. In 23 games (one start), he pitched 21.2 innings striking out 28 batters, and averaged 6.2 hits, 5.0 walks, and 11.2 strikeouts per 9 innings. On November 19, 2021, Jackson was designated for assignment by the Giants.
Atlanta Braves
On November 22, 2021, Jackson was traded to the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
in exchange for cash considerations, and a player to be named later or additional cash considerations. On March 18, 2022, Jackson was placed on the 60-day injured list with a lat strain. He was activated on July 2, and optioned to the Triple-A
Gwinnett Stripers
The Gwinnett Stripers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at Coolray Field in unincorporated Gwinnett County, Georgia (with a Lawrencevil ...
. He made only two appearances for Atlanta, tossing scoreless innings. On September 16, Jackson was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Gwinnett on September 20. He elected free agency on November 6.
Toronto Blue Jays
On January 11, 2023, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...
. Jackson was released by the organization on March 25. On March 28, Jackson re-signed with the Blue Jays on a split major league contract. In 25 appearances for Toronto, he registered a 2.12 ERA with 27 strikeouts in innings pitched. On October 1, Jackson was
designated for assignment
Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the pla ...
following the promotion of
Wes Parsons
Arthur Wesley Parsons (born September 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies and in the KBO League ...
. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen ...
on October 3.
He elected free agency on November 2.
References
External links
Furman Paladins bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Jay
1987 births
Living people
African-American baseball players
American expatriate baseball players in Japan
American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
American people convicted of drug offenses
Atlanta Braves players
Baseball players from South Carolina
Boise Hawks players
Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
Chiba Lotte Marines players
Daytona Cubs players
El Paso Chihuahuas players
Florida Complex League Braves players
Furman Paladins baseball players
Hiroshima Toyo Carp players
Indianapolis Indians players
Iowa Cubs players
Jacksonville Suns players
Leones del Caracas players
American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela
Major League Baseball pitchers
Milwaukee Brewers players
Nashville Sounds players
New Orleans Zephyrs players
Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers
Peoria Chiefs players
Sacramento River Cats players
San Antonio Missions players
San Diego Padres players
San Francisco Giants players
Sportspeople from Greenville, South Carolina
Tennessee Smokies players
Toronto Blue Jays players
Venados de Mazatlán players
Yaquis de Obregón players