Core Jackson: Yankees’ fifth-round gem with power, speed, and defense

The Yankees selected shortstop Core Jackson with their 5th-round pick, 164th overall in the MLB draft. Core from Wyoming, Ontario, spent his freshman season at the University of Nebraska before transferring to the University of Utah for his sophomore and junior years. 

He led the team in the 2025 season in just about every offensive category, including batting average (.364), slugging (.641), OBP (.445), runs scored (61), hits (75), RBI (44), doubles (19), home runs (12), total bases (132) and steals (20). His defensive prowess shined with 117 assists, along with having a hand in 25 double plays.

The All-Big 12 First Team pick finished the regular season ranked among the best in the league in batting average (fifth), doubles (fourth), hits (fifth), runs scored (third), stolen bases (sixth), and slugging percentage (11th). In conference play, he scored 36 runs—the second-most of any player in the league—while his 10 steals tied for fourth.

Helped by a five-run game at Arizona on May 10, which included a straight steal of home, Jackson's 61 runs scored and 20 stolen bases this season both place him in the top-10 in recorded program history.

He finished his two seasons at Utah with a .363 career batting average, ranking ninth on the program's career leaderboard. Jackson also tallied a .455 on-base percentage and 37 stolen bases, each putting him in the top 10.

Jackson was one of three award semifinalists from Big 12 Conference programs, joining Tyriq Kemp of Baylor along with Arizona State's Matt King. D1Baseball.com listed him as the No. 10 shortstop in the country and atop the Big 12 in the site's late-season position rankings.

Finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award will be named on June 4, and the winner will be revealed later that month.

Core Jackson – 2025 Awards and Accolades

• Brooks Wallace Award Semifinalist

• All-Big 12 First Team

• D1Baseball.com Week 12 Position Rankings (No. 10 SS)

• D1Baseball.com Week 6 Position Rankings (No. 13 SS)

• Brooks Wallace Player of the Week (March 4)

• D1Baseball.com Preseason Top Big 12 Prospects – 2025 MLB Draft (No. 18)

• Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in sociology