Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The Yankees' decision to select Jackson in the fifth round last July drew criticism after reports surfaced that he drew a swastika on the dorm room of a Jewish student when he was a freshman at Nebraska in 2021. He transferred to South Mountain (Ariz.) CC as a sophomore and spent his final two college seasons at Utah, where he was charged with impaired driving in 2024. He batted a combined .363/.455/.577 and earned first-team all-conference honors in his two years with the Utes before signing for a well below-slot $147,500.

A left-hander who made consistent hard contact college despite an aggressive approach in college, Jackson was unusually passive in High-A during his pro debut. He usually crushes fastballs but had trouble making contact against in-zone heaters last summer, though he may have been overwhelmed by his challenging assignment. He has the ingredients for at least 15-homer power, especially if he can learn to elevate more pitches.

Jackson was more impressive defensively in his first taste of pro ball. He displays smooth actions, solid range and plus arm strength, leaving no doubt he can remain at shortstop. He has average speed with good baserunning instincts.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

Jackson bounced around in college, spending his freshman year at Nebraska before transferring to South Mountain (Ariz.) CC in 2023 and spending his final two seasons at Utah. He batted .363/.455/.577 in two years with the Utes, earning first-team honors in the Pac-12 Conference in 2024 and the Big 12 Conference this spring. One of the more attractive senior signs in the 2025 Draft, he went in the fifth round and turned pro for $147,500.

A left-handed hitter, Jackson can get a bit aggressive at the plate but still puts the ball in play consistently. He crushes fastballs and does damage against sliders as well, but he struggles against curveballs and changeups. Though he still produces too much groundball contact, he did improve his ability to drive balls in the air as a senior and hit 14 homers after going deep just nine times in his first three college seasons.

Jackson is an average runner with good instincts on the bases. He has the tools to remain at shortstop, including smooth actions, solid range and plus arm strength. Those attributes also enable him to play all over the infield in a utility role if he doesn't produce enough offense to cut it as a regular.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/06/2026	SS Core Jackson assigned to New York Yankees.
	03/05/2026	SS Core Jackson assigned to New York Yankees Prospects.
	08/07/2025	SS Core Jackson assigned to Hudson Valley Renegades from FCL Yankees.
	08/04/2025	FCL Yankees activated SS Core Jackson.
	07/20/2025	SS Core Jackson assigned to FCL Yankees.
	07/16/2025	New York Yankees signed SS Core Jackson.
	04/10/2025	SS Core Jackson assigned to Utah Utes.
	07/07/2024	College Workout activated SS Core Jackson.
	06/12/2024	SS Core Jackson assigned to College Workout.
	03/06/2024	SS Core Jackson assigned to Utah Utes.
	02/20/2022	SS Core Jackson and assigned to Nebraska Cornhuskers.
	03/11/2020	SS Core Jackson assigned to Canada Jr. Team.
	09/21/2019	SS Core Jackson assigned to Team Roberto Alomar.
	09/03/2019	SS Core Jackson assigned to Black.
	09/03/2019	SS Core Jackson assigned to Black.