Edwin Jackson Shines in His Chicago White Sox Debut

Just a few days ago, there was much uncertainty surrounding the Edwin Jackson trade. It was unclear whether or not he was just the final piece of the puzzle needed to acquire a big time left-handed bat or if he was here to stay. After his first start in a Sox uniform, one thing is now certain: he’s here to stay.

Jackson’s promising career began seven years ago when he defeated future Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson in his debut. Now, seven years and five organizations later, Jackson is in a position to be more successful and popular than at any other point in his career.

Control problems and inconsistency have plagued him throughout his young career, but you wouldn’t have known it watching #33 in black last night. Jackson went seven innings, walking only one, while throwing 69 of 95 pitches for strikes. He did surrender nine hits, all of which were singles.

Jackson flashed glimpses of brilliance in Comerica Park Wednesday night, hitting 98 mph with his fastball to strike out Brennan Boesch in the first. He worked out of a handful of jams with relative ease, displaying composure in dealing with pressure. He has been in playoff races the last few seasons with Tampa Bay and Detroit, so this pennant race experience will be nothing new to him.

One game is not enough to jump to conclusions about Jackson, but this first start offered a glimpse of what scouts have raved about him all along—big time potential.

The talent and God-given ability has always been there with the 26-year-old righty, but the results have not. His early career bears many similarities to that of fellow Sox teammate Matt Thornton.

Both were highly touted pitchers with high ceilings that could not hit the strike zone with any consistency. Both earned the label as a disappointments and were considered  projects to fix. Solution? Insert Don Cooper.

Matt Thornton could quite possibly be out of baseball if it weren’t for Cooper. The White Sox pitching coach tamed the southpaw’s arm and made his control problems disappear, rejuvenating his career in the process. Since coming to the Sox in 2006, Thornton has become one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, making his first All-Star team this season.

One can only hope that Cooper has a similar enlightening effect on Jackson. If he does indeed turn around the journeyman pitcher, the Sox will boast a rotation as good as any in the American League.

Not only could the emergence of Jackson put the Sox over the top in the Central division, Kenny Williams could have pulled off the steal of the deadline.

As has been the story of his young career, there is great potential for Jackson in Chicago. He is off to a promising start. Time will tell if he can finally live up to the hype.

Check this article along with more of Ryan's work at sportshaze.com where he is a featured columnist for the White Sox and Blackhawks.