Sox Beat: Critical year for NH pitcher

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Kyle Jackson's spring stands at a crossroads.

For the second straight year, the Litchfield native and Alvirne High School alum is in major-league camp with the Sox. As a member of Boston's 40-man roster, the 24-year-old pitcher has an opportunity to demonstrate his talent to key decision makers.

That might explain the disappointment Jackson felt in the wake of yesterday's outing. Jackson, who pitched in Double-A for the Portland Sea Dogs last year, entered the ninth inning of an exhibition game against the Pirates, trying to close out a 5-2 lead.

Instead, the right-hander demonstrated a frustrating lack of command. He fell behind all four batters he faced, permitting a homer to Pirates prospect Steven Pearce, a walk and single. He was pulled after recording just one out, having thrown 24 pitches (12 balls).

Litchfield's Kyle Jackson works out in the bullpen last month in Fort Myers, Fla., as Red Sox Manager Terry Francona, left, and General Manager Theo Epstein look on.

"I was pushing all my pitches instead of going out there and letting it go," said Jackson after the Sox' 5-3 win. "It wasn't nerves -- it was just trying to throw to a spot instead of pitching. It's not how I want to pitch."

If there is a silver lining for Jackson, it is that he has used such moments to his benefit before. Last year he struggled dramatically at the start of the season for Portland, recording a frightful 7.49 ERA in the first half of 2007.

"I kind of put some pressure on myself, trying to achieve some things that were out of my reach," said Jackson. "I was trying to make something happen that was out of my control, like trying to get to Triple-A. The only way I can do that is to get out there and pitch, but I was trying to push myself."

His low point arrived at Merchantsauto.com Stadium in Manchester last July 8, in a game against the Fisher Cats. There, he gave up a grand slam to Blue Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay, who was on a rehab assignment with the Fishers.

"That kind of put it all into perspective," recalled Jackson. "I was not throwing the ball how I wanted. I needed to make some adjustments and get back on track."

During the All-Star break, Jackson regrouped. He consulted with Sox Sport Psychology Coach and Concord resident Bob Tewksbury about the need to focus on his work on the mound rather than goals beyond his immediate control.

He also consulted with roving pitching instructor Ralph Treuel, who emphasized the need for Jackson to use his fastball for first-pitch strikes. The two also added a pitch that acted like a cross between a cutter and slider to his repertoire of a fastball, curve and change.

He emerged from the All-Star break with renewed purpose and vastly improved results. Jackson allowed just nine runs in his final 25 innings (3.24 ERA), and also amassed 83 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings before a dead arm in August prompted the Sox to shut him down.

Now Jackson must demonstrate the same resilience he did last summer. The Sox have a compressed spring training schedule owing to their early departure for Japan in two weeks.

As such, each appearance for a prospect like Jackson is a valuable commodity. The team wants to see him pitch accordingly.

"In an opportunity like this, where you come in to try to make an impression, the one thing you want to show is not only your physical stuff but also what's inside the individual," said Sox pitching coach John Farrell. "I think it's important for Kyle to realize those opportunities are there, and if a challenge presents itself, don't back down from it.

"It appeared (yesterday) there was some hope of trying to execute a pitch, rather than saying this is what I'm going to do," Farrell continued. "He'll get opportunities again. The one thing that we will look for is, 'OK, what will we do differently? How will he respond differently next time?'"

Jackson understands the task that now confronts him. There is time to make a favorable impression if he can make the adjustments that permit him to pitch effectively. But there is an urgency to the matter.

"You have to hit the reset button. If you don't, then it's going to dwell on you," Jackson said. "I've got to try to learn from it, keep working hard, and try to get whatever kinks out before the start of the season. You try to stay positive. That's all I can do."

Alex Speier covers the Red Sox for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News.