Jackson Jobe is projected to be a top-10 pick after a dominant senior year. The Oklahoma native has an impressive arsenal and is the top prep arm in the 2021 draft class. Let’s take a look at what he will bring to a major league team.
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Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall (OK)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 18
Throws: Right
Bats: Right
2021 Stats: 34 IP, 82 SO, 11 H, 0.20 ERA, two no-hitters (As of May 11)
Scouting Grades
Fastball: 60
Slider: 65
Control: 50
Curveball: 55
Changeup: 60
Overall: 60
The No. 7-ranked prospect according to MLB.com will be in high demand on draft day. Jobe is one of the best prep arms in the draft and is coming off of a truly dominant season. Over the past year, his stock has risen as he improved his off-speed pitches. The 18-year-old possesses a wipeout slider and one of the quickest arms in the draft. While he is committed to Ole Miss, that could change depending on how draft day plays out.
Many scouts preferred Jackson Jobe as a shortstop before #PGNational.
That's probably not the case anymore.
The @OleMissBSB commit flashed a slider with an elite spin rate (3100+ rpm) & a heater that touched 96.
He was one of the event's top performers: https://t.co/HiWo8kA3ya pic.twitter.com/jjYYrV5ehi
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 25, 2020
Strengths
Jobe posses a three-pitch mix that makes him a tough matchup. The righty’s fastball tops out at 96 MPH and can be paired with a wipeout slider that some evaluators say is the best in the prep class. Entering this season, he upgraded his changeup tumble to make it almost as deadly as his slider. The Oklahoma native also has an effective curveball that tops out in the upper 70’s. However, one of his best strengths is his control that is rare in a high school arm.
The talented pitcher has an easy delivery which allows him to throw strikes consistently. While Jobe offers upside as shortstop due to his power potential, his athleticism will allow him to remain in the rotation for the long term. His explosive arm speed provides him with noticeable spin on his fastball (2500 RPM) and slider (3200 RPM). He is currently committed to the University of Mississippi, where he would serve as a two-way player.
Weaknesses
While Jobe does not have many weaknesses, nobody is perfect. The 18-year-old righty tends to fall in love with his slider. As he looks to pitch deeper into games, he will also need to maintain his stuff. He has the talent to move quickly through the minors, but durability is the area of his game that needs the most improvement.
Pro Comparison: Corbin Burnes
Like Burnes, Jobe’s athleticism is a strength. His fastball also tops out in the mid to high nineties into the late innings, and he throws a slider with a strikeout rate. While Burnes was not a top-10 pick, the two righties have a similar arsenal. Over the past two years, Burnes has been stellar for the Brewers and emerged as their ace. If Jobe can continue to improve his off-speed pitches, he could make a similar impact on a major league staff.
Draft Projection: Round 1, Pick 5, Baltimore Orioles
In many draft projections, the Orioles have been linked to various pitchers. While Rocker and Leiter will likely be off the board, the Orioles could have a shot at Jobe. As Baltimore looks to add to their plethora of top prospects, he has tremendous upside. You can never have enough pitching, and there are not many prep arms like Jobe.
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Main Image Credit: Mike Janes/Four Seam Images
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