The New York Yankees have drafted Core Jackson, a shortstop who drew a swastika on the door of a Jewish student’s dorm room in 2021, despite his troubled past. The team conducted an extensive review and consulted with Jewish members before making the fifth-round pick.
According to The Athletic, Jackson was chosen after a thorough analysis by the Yankees’ amateur scouting director Damon Oppenheimer and conversations with team officials, including president Randy Levine and owner Hal Steinbrenner. The 17-year-old was initially considered for dropping but eventually signed a contract after agreeing to admit to his past actions and work on understanding their significance.
Jackson, who grew up in a Christian household and had limited knowledge of Judaism, claimed he was “blackout drunk” when the incident occurred. He now acknowledges the harm caused by his actions and has taken steps to educate himself about the symbol’s history and its connection to Adolf Hitler.
The Yankees’ decision to draft Jackson is seen as a reflection of his accountability and willingness to learn from his mistakes. The shortstop’s agent, Blake Corosky, represents Jacob Steinmetz, an Orthodox Jewish pitching prospect who was also drafted by a different team.
Since being drafted, Jackson has quickly moved up the ranks, playing in 10 games for High-A Hudson Valley. He expressed hope that fans will forgive him and give him a chance to prove himself as a “good citizen” and baseball player. The Yankees organization believes Jackson has grown and learned from his past mistakes, making him a valuable asset to their farm system.
Source: https://www.nj.com/yankees/2025/08/yankees-stand-up-for-decision-to-draft-player-who-drew-swastika-on-jewish-students-door.html