It’s the end of an era for the Toronto Blue Jays. Former first rounder Justin Jackson has left the organization to sign a minor league free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves.
Taken in the supplemental round of the 2007 draft by the Blue Jays as a shortstop, Jackson never really got his mojo working with the bat and his arm strength eventually had enough power that he and the Blue Jays decided to give him a try on the mound, where he had spent some time in high school.
As a pitcher, Jackson spent two seasons, working his way up from Lansing and finishing the 2014 season with New Hampshire. His pitching career, as I wrote previously, has been a work in progress but Jackson’s 94-95 mph fastball is tantalizing and it looks like the Braves made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Jackson, who is very adept at the social media game, announced his signing with typical style.
Jackson has been one of my favourite players to talk to and he was one of my first interviews for the Blue Jays from Away Podcast and I interviewed him the day after he made his professional pitching debut.
We wish Justin the best of luck with the Braves in 2015!