Alexander James Jackson Bio
Alexander James Jackson is an American professional baseball catcher and outfielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on December 25, 1995, in San Diego County, California, Jackson has established himself as a versatile defensive player across multiple organizations throughout his MLB career. He made his major league debut in 2019 with the Atlanta Braves and has since appeared for the Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, and most recently the Minnesota Twins, where he wears number 70.
Early Life and Background
Jackson attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego County, California, where he quickly became one of the most highly regarded high school prospects in the country. During his junior year, MaxPreps ranked him as the best high school prospect for the 2014 class and honored him as their Junior of the Year. His exceptional performance continued into his senior season, where he tied John Drennen for the most career home runs in the San Diego section with 47.
In addition to his high school accomplishments, Jackson represented his country at the highest amateur levels. He played in the prestigious Under Armour All-America Baseball Game at Wrigley Field in both 2012 and 2013, showcasing his talent on a national stage against the country’s top prospects. His impressive performances earned him recognition from Baseball America, which awarded him their High School Player of the Year honor. Jackson verbally committed to play college baseball at the University of Oregon in March 2013, indicating his intention to continue his academic and athletic career at the collegiate level before his professional aspirations took precedence.
Path to Major League Baseball
Jackson entered the 2014 Major League Baseball draft as arguably the best pure hitter available. The Seattle Mariners selected him with the sixth overall pick in the first round, recognizing his combination of power, plate discipline, and defensive versatility. He signed with the Mariners on June 23, 2014, officially beginning his professional career and forgoing his commitment to the University of Oregon.
His professional journey began in the rookie-level Arizona League, where he demonstrated his offensive potential by slashing .280/.344/.476 with two home runs, 16 RBIs, and six doubles in 23 games. The following season presented challenges as he struggled at the Class A Clinton LumberKings, batting only .157 with 35 strikeouts in 28 games. The Mariners responded by assigning him to extended spring training before promoting him to the Everett AquaSox, where he rediscovered his rhythm and posted a .239 average with eight home runs and 25 RBIs in 48 games.
Alexander James Jackson Career
Atlanta Braves Era (2019–2021)
Jackson’s path to the majors continued with the Atlanta Braves organization following a November 2016 trade that sent him and Tyler Pike to Atlanta in exchange for Rob Whalen and Max Povse. He began the 2017 season with the Florida Fire Frogs and earned a promotion to the Mississippi Braves, where he showcased his power potential by hitting .267/.328/.480 with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs in 96 combined games between the two clubs. His strong performance prompted the Braves to add him to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.
The Braves promoted Jackson to the major leagues on April 7, 2019, and he made his MLB debut that afternoon, officially becoming a major league player. His time in Atlanta was interrupted by injuries, including a strained left hamstring that landed him on the 60-day injured list starting June 24, 2021. He was reinstated on July 21, 2021, but his tenure with the Braves concluded later that month.
MLB Journeyman Years (2021–2024)
On July 30, 2021, the Miami Marlins acquired Jackson from the Braves in exchange for Adam Duvall. His time in Miami was brief, spanning only the remainder of the 2021 season. The following year brought another change when the Milwaukee Brewers acquired him on April 6, 2022, in exchange for Hayden Cantrelle and Alexis Ramirez. Jackson appeared in just five games for the Brewers, going 3-for-12 at the plate, before a left wrist injury ended his season prematurely on August 27. The Brewers removed him from their 40-man roster in December and sent him outright to Triple-A Nashville.
Jackson joined the Tampa Bay Rays organization in August 2023 via trade for pitcher Evan McKendry. He performed well in limited action with Triple-A Durham, batting .281/.305/.561 with four home runs and ten RBIs in 14 games. He re-signed with the Rays on a minor league contract and continued his strong play at Durham in 2024, hitting .282 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 22 games. The Rays selected his contract on May 3, 2024, returning him to the major league roster. However, his MLB stint produced limited results as he slashed .122/.201/.237 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 58 games before being designated for assignment in September.
Baltimore Orioles (2025)
Jackson’s 2025 season began with the New York Yankees organization after signing a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in November 2024 and then being traded to the Yankees in December. He was released in June 2025 and immediately re-signed to another minor league deal. His standout performance with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he batted .302/.387/.604 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 26 appearances, caught the attention of contenders.
On July 6, 2025, the Baltimore Orioles acquired Jackson from the Yankees in exchange for international bonus pool space and a player to be named later. The Orioles selected his contract and added him to their active roster. Jackson made immediate history by becoming the sixth catcher for the Orioles during the 2025 season. In a memorable moment on August 3, Jackson, Jeremiah Jackson, and Jackson Holliday combined to retire Carson Kelly at home plate to end the first inning, marking the first time in MLB’s Modern Era that a team started at least three players whose given name or surname was Jackson.
Through his first 18 games with the Orioles, Jackson recorded ten hits—all for extra bases, including seven doubles and three home runs. This streak of ten consecutive extra-base hits to begin a career with a new team established a modern-day record. He finished the 2025 season having played 36 games with the Orioles, slashing .220/.290/.473 with five home runs and eight RBIs.
Minnesota Twins (2026–Present)
On November 21, 2025, Jackson was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Payton Eeles. He began the 2026 season in the Twins organization but did not make the Opening Day roster after being designated for assignment on March 25. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A St. Paul Saints. With the Saints, he appeared in 24 games and slashed .239/.295/.511 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs. On May 19, 2026, the Twins added Jackson to their active roster following an injury to Ryan Jeffers, providing him another opportunity at the major league level.
Defensive Versatility and Playing Style
Jackson’s primary positions throughout his career have been catcher and outfielder, giving teams flexibility in roster construction and late-game matchups. His ability to play behind the plate remains his most valuable defensive attribute, as MLB teams continuously seek capable catchers. His minor league track record demonstrates consistent power production, with multiple seasons of double-digit home runs at the upper levels of the minors.
Notable Career Milestones
Beyond his MLB debut with Atlanta in 2019, Jackson’s most significant career moment came early in his Orioles tenure when he set the modern-era record for consecutive extra-base hits to begin a career with a new team. This achievement highlighted his ability to make immediate impacts when given opportunities. His career has been defined by navigating between the majors and minors while maintaining the defensive versatility that keeps him in demand as a catcher.
Alexander James Jackson Career Statistics
Through June 28, 2026, Jackson has accumulated 11 career home runs, 35 RBIs, and a .169 batting average across his MLB appearances with Atlanta, Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore.
Career Highlights
Jackson’s most productive professional season came in 2017 with the Braves’ minor league system, when he combined to hit 19 home runs and 65 RBIs between two levels. His brief stint with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate in 2025 produced his highest minor league average at .302, demonstrating that his bat continues to produce when given regular at-bats. His 2026 performance with St. Paul, including seven home runs in 24 games, earned him a return to the Twins’ active roster.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant chapter in Jackson’s career as he bounced between organizations before finding a role with the Orioles. His journey began with the Yankees’ system following the December 2024 trade, where his hot hitting at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre made him an attractive acquisition target for contenders seeking catching depth. The Orioles acquired him in July and immediately inserted him into their lineup.
Jackson’s historic start with Baltimore generated significant attention throughout the baseball world. The convergence of three players named Jackson on the same team created a unique moment when all three participated in recording an out together for the first time in over a century of modern baseball. His ability to produce extra-base hits at a remarkable rate during his first 18 games suggested the potential for a breakthrough season.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s continued presence on the Twins’ active roster following his May 2026 promotion positions him as a catching option for a Twins team dealing with injuries. His defensive versatility and proven ability to produce power in limited opportunities make him a valuable depth piece as the season progresses.