Yankees Defend Decision Drafting Shortstop Decision Related to Campus Swastika Incident | New York Yankees

The New York Yankees’ decision to pick Utah shortstop Jackson in the fifth round of the MLB draft last month was reviewed after the sports Report That Jackson once attracted a magician on the dormitory door of Jewish students.

The incident occurred in 2021, when Jackson was a 17-year-old freshman at the University of Nebraska. He told athletic ability that he had been “drunk with power outages” and had no memory of it. “I think the worst person in the world,” he said.

Nebraska fined him, allocated community services and required online sensitivity training, but did not suspend him. Jackson said he wanted to apologize directly, but campus police told the victim not to be contacted.

Yankees amateur scout director Damon Oppenheimer said the team conducted the most extensive background check of his 23-year tenure before choosing Jackson. The decision was approved by owner Hal Steinbrenner and supported by Jewish officials within the club, including team chairman Randy Levine.

“We are looking for accountability,” Oppenheimer said. “We believe that his actions have shown remorse and growth since the incident.”

Jackson signed $147,500, well below the 164th pick of the slot value of $411,100. He has reported to High-A Hudson Valley.

His agent Blake Corosky initially considered throwing him away, but reconsidered under two conditions: Jackson disclosed the incident to each incident MLB On the team ahead of the 2024 draft, he teamed up with Jacob Steinmetz, the first ever practice for an Orthodox Jewish player.

Jackson, who grew up in a Christian family in Wyoming, admitted that he knew nothing about Judaism or Swastika’s historical weight. “That’s not forgiveness,” he said. “But it shows how much I have to learn.”

The Swastika incident wasn’t Jackson’s only off-court trouble. In September 2024, he was charged with a DUI while playing in Utah. The case reduced misdemeanors for driving disorders after completing community service, substance abuse training and paid fines. Jackson said he has never drunk alcohol since then.

His winding college career took him from Nebraska to South Hill Community College in Arizona and finally to Utah, where he hit .363 with four home runs and 41 hits in 2024.

For the Yankees, these tools and Jackson’s willingness to face his past are enough to go beyond the focus. But in New York, home to the world’s largest Jewish community outside Israel, the decision remains polarized.

“I think it’s part of my story, and it’s important,” Jackson said. “God gave me this platform and I want to use it to express forgiveness and growth.”