Core Jackson honoured by Wyoming Minor Baseball

Barry Wright/The Independent

Core Jackson says his first season of professional baseball was the stuff of dreams.

The Wyoming native was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2025 and appeared in 100 games this season spilt between a pair of New York Yankee affiliates; the Hudson Valley Renegades and Somerset, New Jersey Patriots.

‘It was beyond anything I could have imagined or dreamed of,” said the 12th-ranked prospect in the Yankee organization.

“It was a really fun, enjoyable season and I look forward to having many more to come,” Jackson said.

The shortstop hit .269 with an OPS of .739 in 23 games with the Yankees Double-A affiliate in Somerset after being promoted from Renegades in mid-August.

He also had five doubles, a triple, two homers, including a late season grand slam, and nine stolen bases.

In 77 games with the Renegades in High-A baseball, Jackson had an OPS of .802 with 12 home runs, 16 doubles, 46 RBI and 33 steals.

Jackson was chosen to play in the Arizona Fall League beginning early next month, allowing the 22-year-old to work on consistency.

“There’s always room for improvement,” he said. “Big leaguers are consistent and that’s what I have to focus on.”

A shortstop by trade, Jackson is not concerned about the perception that George Lombard Jr. is seen as the Yankee shortstop of the future.

“My main goal since I was a little kid was to play in the major leagues whether that be at shortstop, center field, catcher, whatever it takes. I’m open to any position (the Yankees) need me to play.”

He plans to continue to put in the work to achieve his ultimate goal. “I try to keep my head down and not worry too much about that,” he said. “I’ll let that stuff handle itself.”

Jackson – a Christian and graduate of John Knox Christian School in Wyoming and Petrolia’s LCCVI – says he continues to learn from a highly-publicized incident where he drew a swastika on a Jewish student’s dorm door when he was a 17-year-old freshman at the University of Nebraska.

“It’s definitely not something I’m proud of. I just try to grow and become a better person each day,” he tells The Independent. “I’m thankful that the Yankees not only gave me an opportunity to showcase my skills as a ball player but also as a human being.”

Jackson meets regularly with six or seven other players on the Somerset roster and the team chaplain to study and strengthen his faith.

As for the ceremony at Canton Park Monday adding his name to Wyoming’s Walk of Fame, he was humbled by the attention. “It’s pretty special to be at the ball field where I grew up playing,” he said.

“I hope baseball in Wyoming just keeps on growing.”

Steve McGrail, the president of Wyoming Minor Baseball, pointed to Core’s natural athleticism and “unmatched work ethic” as the reason for his success during Monday’s induction ceremony.

“To all the young ball players here tonight, look closely at the diamond today because your wildest dreams are entirely within reach.

“The story of Core Jackson is living proof that it doesn’t matter how small your hometown is, what matters is the size of your work ethic.

“Keep practicing, keep believing and chase your dreams with everything you’ve got,” said McGrail. ‘Once a Wrangler, always a Wrangler.”