Jackson Jobe

Jackson William Jobe

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• High School Heritage Hall School

• Born July 30, 2002 in Irving, TX USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Jackson Jobe was the third overall pick of the 2021 Amateur Draft, by the Detroit Tigers, out of a high school in Oklahoma. Considered the #7 overall prospect before the draft, his selection was a bit of a surprise, given the presence of a number of higher-rated players still on the board, and the inherent risk attached to any righthanded pitcher coming out of high school. Still, the Tigers were impressed by the fact that scouts rated Jobe's raw stuff as the best of any pitcher in the draft that year, with his slider his best pitch, the only question being whether that would eventually translate at the major league level. The Tigers explained that they had drafted him because they felt he had the biggest upside of anyone in the draft. Before the draft he had a commitment to attend the University of Mississippi, although that fell by the wayside given his lofty draft rank. Indeed, he signed with the Tigers on July 23rd for a bonus of $6.9 million. He did not pitch professionally that summer, awaiting the 2022 season to make his professional debut.

Interestingly, Jobe was mainly a shortstop before his senior year of high school, and was considered a prospect at the position, although more for his defensive skills than his bat. He was Oklahoma's high school player of the year for three straight seasons. It was said when he arrived at the Tigers' mini-camp in 2022 (with major league spring training postponed by the 2021-2022 lockout) that he had never given up a home run as a pitcher in his entire lifetime when teammate Manuel Sequera took him deep during a live batting practice session on February 23rd. He split the season between the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the Florida State League and the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League, going a combined 4-5, 3.84 in 21 starts, with 81 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings. The start of his 2023 season was delayed by a back injury as he made his first appearance on a rehabilitation assignment with the FCL Tigers on June 17th. The Tigers then moved him up to Lakeland after one start, not wanting to push him too much before being sure he was fully healthy again. He ended up playing at four levels that season, also making starts for the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League and the Erie SeaWolves of the Eastern League. In 16 starts and 64 innings, he went 2-4, 2.81 with 84 strikeouts. He then pitched in the Arizona Fall League.

He impressed everyone on the Tigers' brass in spring training in 2024 when he hit 102 mph on the radar gun on March 12th in what was his first time ever facing major league hitters in a game. Still, the plan was for him to return to Erie to start the season. He was slowed down by a hamstring strain that put him on the sidelines in May.

His father Brandt Jobe was professional golfer who competed on the PGA tour for a number of years. He spent part of his youth travelling around the country with his mother and sister to be with his father as he was competing in various tournaments. Obviously, this life did not bother young Jackson too much, as he knew at a young age that he wanted to be a professional too - he just wasn't sure in which sport. He was both a top football and baseball prospect in high school, but his being drafted third overall by the Tigers made the choice of a future career easy.

Further Reading

• Jason Beck: "Tigers select 'total package' Jobe at No. 3: Athletic high school right-hander rated as Detroit's best player on the board", mlb.com, July 12, 2021. [1]
• Jason Beck: "Heralded prospect Jobe gives up first HR ... ever? Tigers' top-ranked arm eyes development in Minor League camp", mlb.com, February 23, 2022. [2]
• Jason Beck: "Jobe touches 102, dazzles in tantalizing spring debut", mlb.com, March 12, 2024. [3]
• Thomas Harrigan: "Who is Jackson Jobe? Get to know HS righty", mlb.com, July 11, 2021. [4]
• Kelsie Heneghan: "Tigers prospect Jackson Jobe learns from PGA dad Brandt", mlb.com, June 15, 2024. [5]