Yankees Draft Prospect Who Admitted Swastika Incident, Signed Amid Controversy

The New York Yankees selected shortstop Core Jackson in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft despite his past involvement in a troubling incident. In 2021, while a freshman at the University of Nebraska, Jackson drew a swastika on a Jewish student's dorm door, an act he has called a "really stupid mistake" committed during a blackout state of intoxication. He disclosed the incident himself to teams prior to the draft and has since apologized, undergone sensitivity training, and engaged in Holocaust education programs. The Yankees conducted their most thorough background check ever, consulting Jewish members of the organization, including team president Randy Levine, before owner Hal Steinbrenner approved the pick. Jackson has also faced a 2024 impaired driving charge, for which he completed community service and substance abuse training. Despite these issues, scouts were impressed by his athletic performance, but acknowledge his past likely lowered his draft position.