Triple-digit heat and a surging ground-ball rate signal brilliance for the Tigers’ flamethrower. Despite recent divisional struggles, his post-surgery arsenal proves his sky-high ceiling remains intact.
The third overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft made his fifth start of the season for the Detroit Tigers following Tommy John surgery, and it started much like many of his other outings this year.
Jackson Jobe ultimately struggled when it came to limiting runs.
Jobe went five innings for the third time in his five starts this season, but those five innings were far from a walk in the park. The Minnesota Twins tagged him for four earned runs, five total runs, six hits and two home runs. Jobe was still able to do what he does best, striking out four batters.
Those four strikeouts matched a season high, which he has now reached in four of his five starts this season. But the bigger question surrounding Jobe remains: Just how good can he become?
Expectations for Jobe remain incredibly high. The baby-faced pitcher has dazzled fans with his potential for years. However, now that we are five starts into his return from an injury-riddled stretch and Tommy John surgery, it is becoming easier to take an honest look at what the Tigers truly have in their young pitcher.
Previously, Jobe combined for 9.2 innings and just two earned runs over his prior two starts. Interestingly enough, it has been divisional opponents who have given him the most trouble.
In his two starts against AL Central opponents — Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox — Jobe has allowed 15 hits and 10 earned runs. Outside of those two outings, however, the young right-hander has shown flashes of exactly why expectations surrounding him remain so high.
Jobe now has 15 career starts under his belt and owns a 5-3 record with a 4.44 career ERA.
One of the most encouraging signs following Tommy John surgery has been his velocity. Jobe has reached 100 mph multiple times this season, proving that his electric fastball has not disappeared following the procedure. With his fastball velocity sitting in the upper 90s, Jobe knows just how impactful that pitch can be.
Pair that with a devastating 12-to-6 curveball and a splitter that can leave hitters completely off balance, and it is easy to understand why scouts have been so high on his potential.
Jobe has also worked feverishly to generate more ground balls, and so far, he has succeeded.
In 2024, Jobe had a ground-ball rate of 41.7%, followed by 44% in 2025. This season, that number has jumped to 51.4%. At the same time, the percentage of balls hit in the air against him has continued to drop, falling below 50% for the first time in his career at 48.6%.
That development could become incredibly important as Jobe continues to mature at the Major League level.
Jobe has the potential to become one of the best pitchers in baseball if he continues to develop. Now that Tommy John surgery is behind him, the young right-hander has nothing but opportunity in front of him. The future should only continue to shine brighter.
His 4.63 ERA and 1-2 record this season may not look particularly appealing to fans at first glance. However, when watching him pitch, it is easy to see the potential. Outside of his struggles against AL Central competition, Jobe has looked like one of the most talented young pitchers on the planet.
Only time will help Jobe develop the experience, rhythm and consistency needed to become one of baseball's best. But the potential remains exactly the same.
As Jobe continues to work on his craft, the Tigers have reached a point where they seemingly need near-perfect pitching to give themselves a chance to win. That is an impossible expectation to place on any pitching staff, but Detroit's offense has made life incredibly difficult for its pitchers.
For Jobe, though, the focus should remain on development.
Five starts into his return, there will undoubtedly be bumps along the road. But if the velocity continues to return, the ground-ball numbers continue to improve and his elite arsenal begins to find more consistency, the Tigers could have something incredibly special in Jackson Jobe.
The potential has always been there.
Now, it is simply about watching it come together.
