Why the Yankees Drafted a Prospect After Swastika Admission

The New York Yankees’ recent selection of University of Utah shortstop Core Jackson in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft stirred plenty of public discussion. It wasn’t just about his athletic skill—Jackson’s controversial past came front and center.

The pick came despite Jackson’s involvement in a 2021 antisemitic incident and a later impaired driving charge. The Yankees said they ran the most thorough vetting process in team history before making their decision.

This post digs into the full story, the fallout, and what these choices could mean for Jackson’s career and the Yankees’ reputation. There’s a lot to unpack here.

Core Jackson’s Troubled Past

Back in 2021, during his freshman year at Nebraska, Core Jackson got tangled up in a situation that’s stuck with him ever since. He was intoxicated and, reportedly blacked out, drew a swastika on the dorm door of a Jewish student.

The act was widely condemned as offensive and antisemitic. Jackson later called it a “stupid mistake” and said he deeply regrets it.

He’s since tried to educate himself about antisemitism, knowing the symbol’s impact doesn’t just fade away. His agent set him up with Elliot Steinmetz, an Orthodox Jewish MLB prospect’s father, who arranged Holocaust education sessions for him.

This was part of helping Jackson understand and talk about the harm he caused. It wasn’t just for show—by all accounts, he’s tried to learn from it.

Full Disclosure Before the Draft

Jackson decided to tell all 30 MLB teams about the 2021 incident before the draft. His agent said this transparency was crucial to show accountability and maturity.

The Yankees got the same disclosure, but they didn’t stop there. Their vetting process dug even deeper.

The Yankees’ Vetting Process

Before giving the green light, the Yankees held internal talks with key Jewish executives, including team president Randy Levine. Team owner Hal Steinbrenner made the final call.

It’s a bit surprising, but the organization didn’t reach out to Nebraska officials for more context on the 2021 event. That’s a detail some might question.

Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer called the review of Jackson’s background “the most thorough” he’d ever been part of. They looked into both the antisemitic incident and another legal issue.

The 2024 Impaired Driving Charge

While at Utah, Jackson got arrested for DUI in 2024. The charge was later reduced to impaired driving.

He completed community service and a substance abuse training program as part of his sentence. This incident didn’t make national headlines like the swastika, but it still hurt his draft stock and signing bonus.

On-Field Performance and Draft Fallout

Even with the controversies, Jackson’s play at Utah caught scouts’ attention. He’s a defensively gifted shortstop with solid offense—some thought he’d go earlier in the draft.

Instead, his off-field history pushed him down to the fifth round. He signed for a below-slot bonus of $147,500.

Jackson’s Message of Growth

Now 21, Jackson doesn’t shy away from talking about his past. He says he’s “grown up” and wants to use his platform to talk about accountability, maturity, and forgiveness.

If he makes it in the majors, his story might end up as both a warning and an example of real change. Time will tell, right?

The Bigger Picture: Sports, Image, and Redemption

Professional sports teams always wrestle with how to balance raw talent against a player’s character and reputation. The Yankees’ decision to draft Jackson really shows how messy these choices get in the age of social media, where old mistakes can pop up in an instant.

Some fans see the team’s move as a gesture of forgiveness and hope for change. Others worry it sends the wrong message and downplays serious behavior. Either way, Jackson will face a lot of pressure and attention.

• Incident Transparency: Jackson told every team about his past before the draft.
• Educational Steps: He participated in Holocaust education to learn more about antisemitism.
• Legal History: In 2024, police charged him with DUI, which later got reduced to impaired driving.
• Yankees’ Oversight: The Yankees did an internal review with input from Jewish leadership, and Hal Steinbrenner gave the final approval.
• Career Implications: He dropped in the draft and got a smaller signing bonus, even though his skills are strong.

Jackson’s future with the Yankees isn’t just about how he plays. He’ll have to prove he can stick to his word and grow as a person. Baseball loves a comeback, and now it’s up to him to see what kind of story he’ll tell.

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Here is the source article for this story: Yankees drafted player after he admitted he drew swastika on Jewish student’s door in college. Why?