September 27th, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Let’s be honest here, any time you start comparing anyone with 34-year-old Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, it is a risky proposition at best. I mean, we’re talking about a guy who will become first-ballot Hall of Fame eligible five years from the very second he decides to retire … if he decides to retire, that is.
But if and when that day finally happens, it’s reassuring to know that the Dodgers already have a young arm – albeit a right arm – currently on their active roster who could slot into Kershaw’s spot in their starting rotation.
Could.
His name is Andre Jackson and he started 80 of the 86 games in which he pitched during his four Minor League seasons after being drafted by the Dodgers in the 12th round in 2017 out of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. And even though he posted a 17-19 record and a 3.84 ERA during those four Minor League seasons, he struck out 396 of the 1,537 batters he faced, while walking 193.
Again, it is extremely risky to mention anyone as a possible replacement for Kershaw in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?
As of this writing, Jackson has appeared in only six Major League games with the Dodgers, all in relief – three in 2021 and three this season. And even though he is 0-1 in his combined 17.1 Major League innings pitched, he posted a 1.56 ERA in 2021 and a (wait for it…) 0.00 ERA this season; albeit in only 5.2 innings pitched thus far in 2022. He also notched his second career MLB save – a three-inning save – in Sunday’s 4-1 win over the NL Central first-place St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium to go along with his first MLB save – a three-inning save – on October 3, 2021, against the Milwaukee Brewers, also at Dodger Stadium.
(Katie Chin)
Do you see where I’m going with this?
Yes, it is (again) extremely risky to slot a guy into a Major League starting role with only six Major League relief innings pitched, but someone will have to fill the void when Kershaw does finally decide to hang up his spikes.
Why not a guy with 80 professional starts already under his belt?
Play Ball!
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UPDATE:
The Dodgers activated 37-year-old left-hander David Price from the injured list (left wrist inflammation) on Tuesday afternoon and optioned Andre Jackson back to Triple-A OKC.
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Posted in 
@Dodgers Hope for the future.
@Dodgers Gavin Stone is special
I think Jackson is more likely a reliever for Dodgers than heir apparent to Kershaw. RH’ers Buehler (2024), Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Ryan Pepiot, Bobby Miller, and Gavin Stone likely ahead of Jackson on the starting depth chart, and I believe Dodgers will sign Urias to an extension.
I thought Edwin Jackson was going to be the next Drysdale after he shut out AZ in his MLB debut at age 19. That was in 2003. He DID have a solid, if unspectacular career (107-133 4.78 for mostly bad teams).
Andre Jackson is already 26 1/2, so I need to see more of him before I sign up for the fan club. But he looks good, from what little I’ve seen.
if i recall correctly, his debut was actually on his 20th birthday and he beat randy johnson. i too thought he would be our next big star.