Bio
Mississippi native Jacob Gilliland comes to Sioux City after spending the 2023 season with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League. Gilliland was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 32nd round of the 2018 June draft out of Next Level Academy in Montgomery, Alabama.
Last season Gilliland made 28 appearances in relief for Southern Maryland, going 1-1 with a 6.57 ERA. He would notch 32 strikeouts in 38.1 innings while giving up 46 hits and 28 earned runs with a 1.957 WHIP. Gilliland would finish tied for second on the Blue Crabs in games pitched for the season. He would spend his 2022 season in the Frontier League with Lake Erie. He would pitch in 10.1 innings over eight games all from the pen, going 0-1 with an 11.32 ERA.
Gilliland spent his final season in affiliated ball in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox organization. He would land with Chicago following an April 28 trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would pitch in 30.0 innings at rookie-level Arizona Complex League. He would go 2-5 for the White Sox and post a 11.50 ERA while surrendering 53 hits with 35 earned runs with 31 strikeouts. He would not pitch in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league baseball season.
The Dodgers had two teams in the Arizona League in 2019, and Gilliland would pitch for both clubs. He would go a combined 5-0 with a 3.26 ERA in 38.2 innings with 39 strikeouts. Gilliland would yield 36 hits and 14 earned runs with a 1.500 WHIP for the season. Gilliland would have a strong 27.2 innings with the Dodgers Lasorda squad in the AZL, going 4-0 with a 2.93 ERA in 27.2 innings in eight games, including one start. His four wins was second on the club. His rookie season was spent in the AZL in 2018 following his draft call of June of that year. The 32nd round pick would toss 19.1 innings while appearing in 13 games with one start for the Dodgers. He would strike out 12 while giving up 17 hits and nine earned runs with a 3-1 record and a 4.19 ERA.
Gilliland is from Ocean Spring, Mississippi. He began his high school career at St. Martin (Mississippi) High School and would finish his final two seasons at Next Level Academy in Montgomery, Alabama.