Nice article on 1590.com about New Hampshire pitcher Kyle Jackson, who was drafted out of high school (32nd round) in 2001. He had a productive season with the Gulf Coast Red Sox and the Lowell Spinners last year

From Today's Portland Press Herald:

Kevin Thomas - Question - and question mark; Sea Dogs pitcher Kyle Jackson is on Boston's 40-man roster, and has a 6.87 ERA in the Eastern League.

Jackson, 24, from nearby Litchfield, appeared to be on the fast
track since last year. He was a 32nd-round draft pick out of
Alvirne High in Hudson, N.H., in 2001. He moved to the bullpen
in 2005 and began last season in advanced Class A. He recorded
a 1.59 ERA in 24 appearances, with 67 strikeouts in 45 innings
and was promoted to Double-A Portland.

After a few good months in Portland with a 2.45 ERA, Jackson
pitched in the prospect-rich Arizona Fall League. He also was
placed on Boston's 40-player roster, safeguarding him in case
another team wanted to pick him in the Rule 5 draft.

...

"Just fine-tuning some things," Jackson said, appearing relaxed
while sitting on the rolled-up tarp during the Sea Dogs' fielding
practice Saturday. "I'm not much different."

Sea Dogs pitching coach Mike Cather, who also coached Jackson
last year in Class A, said Jackson has been one pitch from
putting away batters and avoiding some big innings.

Jackson still throws his fastball in the low 90s. If he gets a little
more command and learns to put away hitters, he should be OK.

Kevin Gray on Baseball: Kyle Jackson starting over

Jackson (3-1, 5.40 ERA) has pitched effectively for long stretches -- April was a productive month -- but there have been cold streaks in which the Alvirne of Hudson graduate was hammered.

In the past month, New Hampshire's Travis Snider belted a pair of homers against Jackson, and Ryan Klosterman took him deep in a 17-10 slugfest win for the Fishers.

Overall, Jackson (33 strikeouts, 19 walks) is pleased with the command of his pitches, especially after walking a career-worst 48 batters last season.

"It's gone well. A had a little rut with some bad outings but other than that, it's been pretty good. My control has been a lot better," said Jackson, a 32nd-round pick in 2001.

Truth be told, eyes lit up inside the Fisher Cats clubhouse when players learned Jackson would be starting today. In his last three outings at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, he has given up 10 earned runs in 7 1/3 innings.

"I've left a lot of pitches up when I've been here. I just need to keep the ball down and the results will come," Jackson said. "I'll keep on pounding and won't change my approach. Just keep hitting my spots."

Kevin Gray - Jackson looks for next chance

Kyle Jackson doesn't have a team after being released by the Worcester Tornadoes of the Can-Am League -- and that's all part of his game plan right now.

In the span of a year, the Alvirne of Hudson graduate has gone from the Boston Red Sox 40-man roster to the precarious world of minor-league free agency.

...

The Red Sox released Jackson in August after the right-hander labored to a 5-3 record and 6.47 ERA while pitching from the starting rotation and the bullpen. Drafted in the 32nd round of 2001, Jackson spent six seasons with the Red Sox and earned a spot on the 40-man roster following a terrific 2006 campaign in which he posted a 2.08 ERA in stops at Single A Wilmington and Double-A Portland.

Boston dropped Jackson from the 40-man near the end of 2008 spring training, assigning him to Portland for a third stint.

"I've gone through a lot of ups and downs since being taken off the 40-man. I've learned how to adapt and make changes, converting from reliever to starter and reliever to starter again," Jackson said. "I ended up having what they call a 'dead arm' in baseball terms for most of the season last year. Right now, I'm just trying to recover and let the muscles regroup. I had a long three years of continually throwing."

Jackson pitched 412 minor-league innings for the Red Sox, logging a 27-22 record and 4.37 ERA. He pitched for the Sea Dogs during their 2006 Eastern League championship season.