Steven Jackson

Steven Nash Jackson

• Bats Right , Throws Right
• Height 6' 5" , Weight 215 lb.
• School Clemson University
• High School Summerville High School
• Debut June 1, 2009
• Final Game October 3, 2010
• Born March 15, 1982 in Sumter, SC USA

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Biographical Information

Steven Jackson made his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009.

Out of high school, Jackson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 38th round of the 2000 amateur draft. He opted for college instead. He was 2-1 with a 5.35 ERA at Clemson University as a freshman in 2001. In 2002, he was 6-1 with a 5.37 ERA as Clemson finished third in the country. Steven was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 32nd round of the 2003 amateur draft but did not sign. After finishing his college career 19-8 with a 4.62 ERA, Jackson was picked by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 10th round of the 2004 amateur draft. He was signed by scout Howard McCullough and made his pro debut that summer.

Jackson was 1-0 with a 4.56 ERA for the 2004 Yakima Bears and 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA for the Missoula Osprey that year. In 2005, he was 10-5 with a 5.33 ERA for the South Bend Silver Hawks, allowing a .321 average. He led the South Atlantic League with 205 hits allowed. He delivered when it mattered most, winning the championship game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

In 2006, the South Carolina native improved to 8-11, 2.65 for the Tennessee Smokies. He was second in the Southern League in ERA, behind Spike Lundberg and just ahead of Andy Sonnanstine and Tyler Lumsden. Sonnanstine beat him out for the All-Star RHP spot. He was 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA in the Arizona Fall League.

Jackson was then traded with Alberto Gonzalez, Ross Ohlendorf (his future teammate with the 2009 Pirates) and Luis Vizcaino to the New York Yankees for Randy Johnson. In 2007, Steven struggled with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (4-8, 5.87, .317 average allowed) and Trenton Thunder (0-1, Sv, 3.86). For the Peoria Javelinas that fall, he had a 0-1, 5.63 record but fanned 19 in 16 innings.

Steven split 2008 once more between Trenton (1-3, 2 Sv, 5.74 in 15 G) and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (3-0, 4 Sv, 3.17 in 34 G, 54 K in 48 1/3 IP). Opening 2009 back with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre club, he allowed 3 runs in 14 1/3 IP and saved a game. He was called up to the Yankees but did not pitch in a game for them. They placed him on waivers and the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him.

Jackson only pitched 4 games for the Indianapolis Indians (1-0, 6.00) before Pittsburgh called him up to take the spot of injured Donnie Veal. In his MLB debut, he relieved Sean Burnett with a 5-3 deficit against the New York Mets and two outs in the 7th. He retired Gary Sheffield on a grounder to Freddy Sanchez. In the 8th, he walked David Wright on four pitches. Jeremy Reed bunted and Jackson threw to second to retire Wright. Wilson Valdez then grounded out and Tom Gorzelanny relieved Jackson. The Pirates rallied to win, 5-3.

Related Sites

• Steven Jackson on mlb.com