Jeremiah Jackson -- Prospect Evaluation

Jeremiah Jackson is a right-handed infielder born March 26, 2000, in Antioch, Tennessee, who was drafted 57th overall in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels for $1,194,000. Standing 6'0" and weighing 165 pounds, Jackson was identified as the top prep prospect in Alabama and demonstrated immediate impact potential, hitting a rumored 400-foot home run in his first at-bat with St. Luke's Episcopal School.

Jackson is an offensive-oriented prospect characterized by natural strength and raw power. His current performance metrics show a .340 batting average with a .604 slugging percentage and 4 home runs across 53 at-bats. Scouts note he possesses above-average to plus bat speed, though his deep leg lift during the summer and fall created timing issues leading to early swings and lunges. His rangy athletic frame suggests continued power development as he matures.

Defensively, Jackson possesses an above-average to plus arm and will have a chance to stick at shortstop, though most evaluators project a move to second or third base due to his lack of quick-twitch actions and overall speed required for the position. His arm action tends to get long, affecting his exchange and quickness on throws to first. Despite these defensive considerations, scouts assess he has sufficient glove skill to handle an infield position alongside his dangerous bat.

Jackson was ranked as high as #4 prospect in the Los Angeles Angels organization in 2020, declining to #18 by 2023. He has since signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent and has been assigned through their minor league system, including stints with the Chesapeake Baysox and Norfolk Tides, with a recall to the major league roster occurring recently.

The Baltimore Orioles have called up several prospects as the 2025 regular season enters its final stretch, including top prospects Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers who combined for 14 RBIs and 10 extra-base hits in their first three weeks. However, Jeremiah Jackson, a 25-year-old utility player, has made the most impressive impact. Jackson was originally drafted 57th overall by the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 as the highest-ranked high school player in Alabama and 16th nationally out of St. Luke's Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama. He spent 4.5 years in the Angels minor league system before being traded to the New York Mets in 2023 for reliever Dominic Leone. After a disappointing 2024 season with the Mets' Double-A affiliate Binghamton Rumble Ponies (.205/.245/.373), Jackson was not added to the Mets' 40-man roster. The Orioles signed him as a minor league free agent in November 2024. In 2025, Jackson began in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A Norfolk after 45 games, where he appeared in 40 games. Jackson has filled critical roster needs created by the absence of Tyler O'Neill and Jordan Westburg, and departures of Ramón Laureano, Ryan O'Hearn, and Ramón Urías.

Jeremiah Jackson is a 21-year-old shortstop/second baseman prospect in the Los Angeles Angels system, ranked 7th on the team's prospect board with an overall future potential grade of 45. Standing 6'0" and weighing 165 pounds, Jackson was acquired by the Angels in the 2018 draft's second round and is scheduled for Rule 5 eligibility in 2022.

As a hitter, Jackson employs a square setup with significant knee and waist bend, generating a steep bat path that opens holes on elevated pitches. He excels against low pitches but struggles with pitches at the top of the zone due to swing mechanics. His approach is passive, and he frequently takes called third strikes despite working deep counts. His hitting tool is graded at 40, reflecting these tendencies.

Jackson's power is a significant strength, graded at 55 (above average). Despite his slight frame at 165 pounds, he generates hellacious bat speed and drives the ball to all fields with relative ease. His steep bat angle produces good backspin and carry, with scouts projecting he could develop plus power once he adds weight to his frame. His arm strength is also above average (grade 55), featuring quick release and accuracy deep in the hole, suggesting he could handle third base long term.

Defensively, his fielding is graded at 45 (fringe average) with quick first steps but robotic field actions and limited range. His above-average running ability (grade 50) features good home-to-first times and twitch in the field on slow rollers. Due to limited range and positioning issues at shortstop, scouts project Jackson will eventually move to second or third base in his professional career.

Jeremiah Jackson is a 18-year-old shortstop prospect from St. Luke's Episcopal High School in Mobile, Alabama, under consideration as a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. In 31 games during the 2018 season, Jackson posted a .644 batting average, .754 on-base percentage, and 1.333 slugging percentage, with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs, 54 runs scored, and 39 walks against only 8 strikeouts across 134 plate appearances. He also demonstrated strong baserunning with 21 successful stolen bases in 23 attempts. Perfect Game ranks his hitting tool fifth among all prep prospects in the draft class. Jackson is ranked 42nd by Perfect Game, 44th by Baseball America, and 57th by MLB Pipeline.

Jackson possesses an athletic six-foot, 170-pound frame with smooth defensive actions in the middle infield. He demonstrates good instincts, gets strong jumps on balls, and plays balanced with a compact throwing release and excellent accuracy. As a right-handed hitter, he displays a smooth swing, impressive power production, and good strike zone management for his age. According to MLB Pipeline, Jackson lacks exceptional speed out of the batter's box but flashes solid speed once in motion due to long strides.

Tool grades from MLB Pipeline rate Jackson's hit and arm at 55 (above average), running and fielding at 50 (average), and power at 45 (below average), with potential power improvement to 50-55. While Jackson has the athleticism and actions to play shortstop, scouts project his eventual move to second base due to his lack of a quick first step, though his solid arm strength would be an asset turning double plays. Jackson maintains a strong commitment to Mississippi State but could be signed away with an over-slot bonus. The White Sox could consider Jackson in the second round if they do not select Nick Madrigal in the first round, as the organization currently has only one middle infielder (Luis Curbelo, No. 27) among its top 30 prospects.

Jeremiah Jackson was the top prep prospect in Alabama when drafted 57th overall by the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. The 6'0", 165-lb right-handed infielder is an offensive-oriented prospect with natural strength and impressive raw power. In recent statistics, Jackson has produced a .276 average with a .447 slugging percentage across 170 at-bats, demonstrating solid offensive output.

Scouting assessments highlight Jackson's exceptional bat speed and raw power as among the best for middle infielders. However, mechanical concerns persist, particularly his deep leg lift which creates timing issues and causes him to get out in front. His above-average to plus arm gives him a chance to stick at shortstop, though most scouts project a move to second or third base given his lack of quick-twitch actions and overall speed deficiency.

Jackson has fluctuated in prospect rankings, reaching as high as #4 in the Angels organization in 2020 before being ranked #18 in 2023. He has since been signed by the Baltimore Orioles as a minor league free agent, where he plays for their AAA affiliate Norfolk Tides. Debuting in professional baseball on August 1, 2025, Jackson remains a prospect with significant offensive potential despite ongoing questions about his defensive positioning and mechanical consistency.

Jeremiah Jackson, born March 26, 2000, in Mobile, Alabama, is a shortstop/second baseman prospect for the Los Angeles Angels organization, currently playing for the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Drafted 57th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft and signed for $1,194,000, Jackson was considered the top prep prospect in Alabama.

Jackson is characterized as an offensive-oriented infielder with natural strength and power potential that should improve as he fills out his athletic 6'0", 180-pound frame. His career statistics show a .266 average with a .554 slugging percentage and 40 home runs across 625 at-bats. Scouts highlight his above-average to plus arm strength and some of the better bat speed and raw power among middle infielders in his class.

However, Jackson has defensive concerns that may limit his viability at shortstop long-term. His arm action tends to be long, hurting his exchange and quickness on throws to first base. Additionally, he lacks the quick-twitch actions and overall speed typically required for the position. Most evaluators project him moving to second or third base despite his arm strength, though his glove skills should allow him to handle an infield position while leveraging his dangerous bat.