Jobe the leader of SeaWolves' no-hitter pack

After delivering his first official quality start of the season, Jackson Jobe returned from the trainer’s room for his post-game treatment. He glanced at the scoreboard and realized the Double-A Erie SeaWolves were on the cusp of something special.

The SeaWolves had yet to allow a hit when Jobe made his way back to the dugout in the eighth inning. MLB’s No. 11 prospect set the tone by delivering six hitless innings and striking out five batters -- with four of them coming off whiffs -- in his first start of the second half on Saturday night at Mirabito Stadium.

Jobe was ready to jump over the railing to celebrate with his teammates when the final out was recorded. It’s the first time he has been part of something like this, but Erie’s fifth no-hitter in club history, their first since 2019, could not have been accomplished without the straw that stirs the drink.

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“Jackson makes everything easier,” catcher Eliezer Alfonzo said in Spanish after the 3-0 win. “Everyone knows about the talent he has -- the ability to dominate the batters and the competitive attitude that makes him a great pitcher.”

Being MLB’s top pitching prospect comes with lofty expectations, but the Tigers’ No. 2 prospect has battled adversity in 2024 and yet continues to dominate every time he steps on the mound. The right-hander has a 1.38 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings across eight Double-A starts. Opponents are hitting .112 against him.

He hasn't missed a step even after being sidelined for six weeks with a left hamstring strain on May 2, as he has only allowed one run in 16 innings pitched since being activated on July 5.

“The Tigers have done a great job of developing me as a pitcher, and not just a guy that goes out there and throws hard,” Jobe said. “So they've helped me kind of put it all together. I got a really good group around me. So I'm really looking forward to the future.”

Jobe’s opening act was the team's catalyst to success, but the supporting cast members were equally important. Jake Higginbotham and Matt Seelinger followed up with two strikeouts and clean innings each. Garrett Hill came in to record the final three outs, securing a combined no-hitter for the SeaWolves.

“This was a big accomplishment for us,” Alfonzo said in Spanish. “This isn’t something that happens in baseball too often, especially a combined no-hitter. There is different planning that comes with each pitcher that takes the mound, but the work we put in pregame has helped us.”

Jobe praised Alfonzo for his game-calling behind the plate. The 24-year-old even slugged his sixth homer of the season in the ninth inning to provide a three-run cushion for the team. The two have worked together closely for the last two seasons and have developed a strong bond.

“I wouldn't want anyone in the world out there with me than that guy right there,” Jobe said. “He knows me better than anyone else. It's always fun going out there with him, it gives me a lot of confidence. He works really hard back there.”

Alfonzo has been with the Tigers' organization since he signed in July 2016 and puts Jobe up there as one of the best pitchers he’s worked with.

“Our communication is great,” Alfonzo said. “We always go over our plan inning by inning about how we’re going to approach hitters. I’ve been able to catch him for the past two seasons, and pitchers like him have allowed me to learn so much about the game.”

While Jobe’s response to his hiatus has been strong, it will still be crucial for him to develop his inning count. Regardless of where he stands, he's still focused on his main goal from the beginning of the season.

“I want to pitch in the big leagues,” Jobe said. “Whether that'll happen or not this season, I don't know, but that's been something I've wanted to do since I was four years old. Getting to Double-A, you kind of start to see that light at the end of the tunnel.”