Alex Jackson (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Alex Jackson

|image = File:Alex Jackson from the Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, April 7th, 2021 (All-Pro Reels Photography) (51105215207) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Jackson with the Atlanta Braves in 2021

|team = New York Yankees

|number =

|position = Catcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|12|25}}

|birth_place = San Diego, California, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 7

|debutyear = 2019

|debutteam = Atlanta Braves

|statyear = 2024 season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .132

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 6

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 24

|teams =

Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2021}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2022}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

Alexander James Jackson (born December 25, 1995) is an American professional baseball catcher and outfielder in the New York Yankees organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays. He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Braves.

Amateur career

Jackson attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego County, California.{{cite web|url=http://www.pomeradonews.com/2014/04/16/athlete-of-the-week-rancho-bernardo-highs-jackson-among-most-feared-hitters-in-nation/ |title=Athlete of the Week: Rancho Bernardo High's Jackson among most feared hitters in nation |publisher=Pomeradonews.com |date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014}} In 2012 and 2013, he played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game at Wrigley Field.{{cite web |url=http://www.pomeradonews.com/2012/08/07/prep-baseball-rancho-bernardo-highs-jackson-selected-to-play-in-under-armour-all-america-game-at-wrigley-field/ |title=Prep baseball: Rancho Bernardo High's Jackson selected to play in Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field |website=pomeradonews.com |date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820053220/http://www.pomeradonews.com/2012/08/07/prep-baseball-rancho-bernardo-highs-jackson-selected-to-play-in-under-armour-all-america-game-at-wrigley-field/ |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |via=Wayback Machine |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.baseballfactory.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2013-UA-Game-Official-Box-Score.pdf |title=Box Score – 2013 Under Armour All-America Game |website=baseballfactory.com |date=August 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2018}} As a junior, Jackson was ranked by MaxPreps as the best high school prospect for the 2014 class and was their Junior of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.perfectgame.org/allamerican/News.aspx?num=8880 |title=Jackson's Classic roots run deep |publisher=Perfectgame.org |date=August 6, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2014}} Jackson verbally committed to the University of Oregon in March 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.pomeradonews.com/2013/03/18/prep-baseball-rancho-bernardo-highs-jackson-verbally-commits-to-university-of-oregon/ |title=Prep Baseball: Rancho Bernardo High's Jackson verbally commits to University of Oregon |publisher=Pomeradonews.com |date=March 18, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2014}} As a senior, he tied John Drennen for most career home runs in the San Diego section with 47.{{cite web|url=http://hs.utpreps.com/news_article/show/385382|title=RB's Jackson ties HR record|work=San Diego U-T Preps|date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=June 19, 2015}} After the season, he won Baseball America{{'}}s High School Player of the Year Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/high-school/high-school-player-year-hard-work-talent-got-jackson-top/|title=High School Player Of The Year: Hard Work, Talent Got Jackson To The Top|work=BaseballAmerica.com|access-date=June 19, 2015}}

Professional career

=Seattle Mariners=

Jackson was highly touted as the best hitter in the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|last=Crawford |first=Christopher |url=https://insider.espn.com/blog/mlb-draft/post?id=1511 |title=The best hitter in the draft class |date=April 14, 2014 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 9, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Law |first=Keith |url=https://insider.espn.com/blog/mlb-draft/post/_/id/1374/the-good-and-bad-of-alex-jackson |title=The good and bad of Alex Jackson |date=March 17, 2014 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=June 9, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-update-change-at-the-top-as-pitchers-dominate/ |title=2014 Draft Update: Change At The Top As Pitchers Dominate |publisher=Baseballamerica.com |access-date=June 9, 2014}} The Seattle Mariners selected him in the first round, with the sixth overall pick.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/sea/mariners-select-san-diego-prep-standout-alex-jackson?ymd=20140605&content_id=78372514&vkey=news_sea |title=Mariners select San Diego prep standout Alex Jackson | Mariners.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=June 9, 2014}} He signed with the Mariners on June 23.{{Cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/sea/mariners-officially-sign-first-round-draft-pick-alex-jackson?ymd=20140623&content_id=81245348&vkey=news_sea |title=Mariners officially sign first-round Draft pick Jackson |access-date=June 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813223435/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/sea/mariners-officially-sign-first-round-draft-pick-alex-jackson?ymd=20140623&content_id=81245348&vkey=news_sea |archive-date=August 13, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

After signing, Jackson spent his first professional season with the AZL Mariners, slashing .280/.344/.476 with two home runs, 16 RBIs, and six doubles in 23 games. He began the 2015 season with the Clinton LumberKings, where he struggled, batting .157 with no home runs and 35 strikeouts in 28 games. The Mariners returned Jackson to extended spring training in May, and reassigned him to the Everett AquaSox when their season began in June.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150618/SPORTS/150619250|title=M's top prospect Jackson looks to launch his pro career in Everett|work=The Daily Herald|date=December 2, 2003 |access-date=June 19, 2015}} He spent the remainder of 2015 with Everett, batting .239 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs in 48 games. Jackson spent 2016 with Clinton where he batted .243 with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs in 92 games.

=Atlanta Braves=

On November 28, 2016, the Mariners traded Jackson and Tyler Pike to the Atlanta Braves for Rob Whalen and Max Povse.{{cite web|url=http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/209810642/seattle-trades-for-rob-whalen-max-povse/|title=Mariners acquire righties Whalen, Povse from Braves|work=MLB.com|date=November 28, 2016|access-date=November 28, 2016|archive-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129144711/http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/209810642/seattle-trades-for-rob-whalen-max-povse/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/210793446/mariners-send-lefty-tyler-pike-to-braves/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210135847/http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/210793446/mariners-send-lefty-tyler-pike-to-braves/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2016|title=Pike player to be named in deal with Braves|last1=Johns|first1=Greg|work=MLB.com|date=December 9, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2016}} Jackson began the 2017 season with the Florida Fire Frogs, and later that season, was promoted to the Mississippi Braves. He hit .267/.328/.480 with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs in 96 games{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/alex-jackson-656577|title=Alex Jackson Stats, Highlights, Bio|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=March 26, 2018}} between the two clubs.{{cite news|last1=Boor|first1=William|title=Braves' Jackson delivers in AFL victory|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/258975018/braves-prospect-alex-jackson-delivers-in-afl/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019040553/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/258975018/braves-prospect-alex-jackson-delivers-in-afl/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2017|access-date=October 21, 2017|website=MLB.com|date=October 18, 2017}}

The Braves added Jackson to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.{{cite web|author=Mark Bowman|url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braves-add-4-prospects-to-40-man-roster/c-300952832|title=Braves add 4 prospects to 40-man roster|website=MLB.com|date=November 20, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2019}} They promoted him to the major leagues on April 7, 2019,{{cite news|author=Tim Tucker|title=Braves place Brian McCann on injured list, promote Alex Jackson|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-brian-mccann-leaves-game-with-injury/De1DRFknZ8rRdY05ImsLcI/|access-date=April 7, 2019|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=April 7, 2019}}{{cite web|author=Mark Bowman|title=Jackson up for MLB debut as catching option|url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/alex-jackson-joins-braves-to-fill-in-at-catcher|access-date=April 7, 2019|website=MLB.com|date=April 7, 2019}} and he made his major league debut that afternoon. In 2020 for Atlanta, Jackson only received seven at bats, but recorded his first two major league hits.{{Cite web|url=https://www.talkingchop.com/2020/11/14/21560070/atlanta-braves-2020-player-review-alex-jackson|title=2020 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Alex Jackson|first=Eric|last=Cole|date=November 14, 2020|website=Talking Chop}}

On June 24, 2021, Jackson was placed on the 60-day injured list with a strained left hamstring.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/braves-select-jesse-chavez.html|title=Braves Select Jesse Chavez, Tanner Roark|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} Jackson was reinstated from the injured list on July 21.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/braves-activate-alex-jackson-from-injured-list.html|title=Braves Activate Alex Jackson From Injured List|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

=Miami Marlins=

On July 30, 2021, Jackson was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Adam Duvall.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-2021-trade-deadline|title=Braves deal for Rich-Rod, bring back Duvall|work=MLB.com|date=July 30, 2021|first=Mark|last=Bowman}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On April 6, 2022, Jackson was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Hayden Cantrelle and Alexis Ramirez.{{cite web|last1=Franco|first1=Anthony|title=Brewers Acquire Alex Jackson From Marlins|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/04/brewers-acquire-alex-jackson-from-marlins.html|website=MLB Trade Rumors|publisher=|date=April 6, 2022|access-date=April 6, 2022}} Jackson went 3–for–12 (.250) in 5 games for the Brewers, spending the majority of his time in Triple–A with the Nashville Sounds. His season ended prematurely when he was placed on the injured list on August 27 with left wrist inflammation.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Alex Jackson: Placed on 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-alex-jackson-placed-on-60-day-il/|access-date=June 14, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On December 2, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Nashville.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/brewers-outright-alex-jackson.html | title=Brewers Outright Alex Jackson}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On August 1, 2023, Jackson was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Evan McKendry.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-alex-jackson-dealt-to-tampa-bay/amp/|title=Rays' Alex Jackson: Dealt to Tampa Bay|website=CBSSports.com}} In 14 games for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, he batted .281/.305/.561 with four home runs and ten RBI. Jackson elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=May 3, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

Jackson re–signed with the Rays organization on a minor league contract the following day. He began the 2024 season back with Durham, and hit .282 with 7 home runs and 18 RBI in 22 games. On May 3, 2024, the Rays selected Jackson's contract, adding him to the major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Rays Select Alex Jackson, Option Rene Pinto, Designate Colby White|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/rays-select-alex-jackson-option-rene-pinto-designate-colby-white.html|access-date=May 3, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 58 games for Tampa Bay, he slashed .122/.201/.237 with three home runs and 12 RBI. On September 5, Jackson was designated for assignment by the Rays.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-05 |title=Tampa Bay Rays Roster Moves: Austin Shenton, Alex Jackson and MORE! |url=https://thereportonsports.com/tampa-bay-rays-roster-moves-austin-shenton-alex-jackson-and-more/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=thereportonsports.com |language=en-US}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Durham on September 7.{{Cite web|title=Rays' Alex Jackson: Passes through waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-alex-jackson-passes-through-waivers/amp/|access-date=September 15, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Jackson elected free agency on October 1.[https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-10-01 Minor League Baseball]

=New York Yankees=

On November 8, 2024, Jackson signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Alex Jackson: Signs with Cincy|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-alex-jackson-signs-with-cincy/|access-date=November 8, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} On December 20, the Reds traded Jackson and Fernando Cruz to the New York Yankees in exchange for Jose Trevino.{{cite news |last1=Castillo |first1=Jorge |title=Yankees trade Trevino to Reds for Cruz, Jackson |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43085015/yankees-trade-trevino-reds-cruz-jackson |access-date=December 22, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=December 20, 2024}} He was released by the Yankees organization on March 22, 2025, and re-signed to a minor league contract the following day.https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-03-23