If Andre Jackson can perform as expected and be a part of the starting rotation for the entire season, he will be a great asset to the Lotte Marines.
Jackson played for DeNA until last season, where in his rookie year in 2024 he pitched 143 innings in 26 games, recording 8 wins and 7 losses ERA of 2.90. Last season he pitched 150 2/3 innings in 25 games, recording 10 wins and 7 losses ERA of 2.33. During his time with DeNA, he reached the required innings pitched for two consecutive years, making him a proven starter in Japan.
The Nippon-Ham game on April 1, which was his first appearance after the transfer, was indeed a pitch. From the start, with strong fastball and change-up as the axis, he controlled the Nippon-Ham batting lineup. With a 0-0 start and no runner out, he missed Kotaro Kiyomiya from 2 balls 1 strike with a 141 kg change-up on the fourth pitch, and while being aware of fouls and change-up on the 5th pitch of 140 km change-up, he finished off with a high 156 kg fastball on the sixth pitch with a missing swing struck out.
Jackson revealed about his last pitch change-up, "I thought strike could be taken with change-up, so I made many pitches, especially the deep count, and change-up after driving it in, because I thought it was very effective.
change-up is thrown in the 140 km/h range. I wonder if he's consciously trying to make it follow a trajectory similar to fastball.
"I try to throw change-up with the same trajectory as fastball pitch, maintaining the feeling that it's a straight pitch until the very last moment."
In his previous appearance, he said, "As the game progresses, the batters get used to me during the first and second rounds of batting, so I think it's necessary to gradually introduce different pitches to show them that I have different types of pitches as well." He mainly threw three types of pitches—fastball, change-up, and cutter in the first round, and then used a knuckle curve from the second round onwards to keep Nippon-Ham batters guessing.
If you look at Jackson's pitch, you can get count on any pitch, such as fastball, change-up, knuckle curve, and cutter, and can be used for deciding balls. "I think you can get strike on all pitches, but I think the important thing is how to throw it exactly on the course and let the bat swing so that it doesn't hit it anyway," he said, emphasizing the importance of control.
breaking ball It is only with fastball that we can make the most of the "Straight". On days when the straight line is active, breaking ball also comes into play. I think the combination is important, so I throw with that in mind.
As he is expected to perform well throughout the season as a starting pitcher, when asked what kind of pitching he wants to use to contribute to the team this season, Jackson "counter-questioned" me by saying, "Tell me. What kind of pitching should I do?"
When asked to reach the required number innings pitched and to continue pitching every six days throughout the season, Jackson smiled and replied, "I think that's right, so I'll aim for that."
Currently, Kazuya Ojima, a reliable starter The Marines who has reached the required innings pitched for five consecutive years, was removed from the active roster on the 6th, and Atsuki Taneichi, a member of the WBC Japan national team, is adjusting in the farm league in preparation for his first-team appearance. With both of their ace pitchers absent, Jackson, who is also a reliable pitcher, is expected to not only maintain his place in the rotation now but throughout the season and lead the team to many win.
(Andre Jackson pitcher interpreter = Takafumi Yajima, Chiba Chiba Lotte Marines' interpreter)
Interview and text by Yuta Iwashita
