Isaiah
Jackson

FB 88-94 with plus movement. CB 72 with big horizontal break.

Redshirt-Freshman. Formerly ranked No. 8 in the Illinois 2020 class. Now healthy, Jackson cleaned up his delivery and is now throwing easy cheese. Showed more effort on this look at scout day than he did at the Puma Classic last week where he played catch at 93-94 mph and touched 98 mph. Not just a raw-armed thrower, in-game he showed an ability to pitch, pulling the string on a 78 mph changeup, then elevating a 94 heater for a strikeout. Followed it up with the next batter with a 75 mph breaker, then painted 95 on the outer black for another strikeout. His bullpen from the scout day was also eye-opening, reaching up to 96.8 mph with the fastball and pairing it most effectively with a slider up to 81 mph (T2,388 RPM). He’s a top-five round MLB Draft follow for 2023 who will need to remain healthy and show consistency in his performance. 

2022 Puma Classic: Now healthy, Jackson cleaned up his delivery and is now throwing bullets. Played easy catch at 93-94, touched 98. Not just a raw-armed thrower, he showed some pitch ability in his second frame pulling the string on a 78 mph changeup, then elevating a 94 heater for a strikeout. Followed it up with the next batter with 75 mph breaker, then painting 95 on the outer black for another strikeout. Top 5 round draft follow.

Verbally committed to John A. Logan JC.

Positional Profile: OF/RHP High ceiling two-way prospect.
Body: 6-foot-5, 185-pounds. Highly projectable frame, long twitchy levers, slender build with room to fill.
Defense: Long levers plays through the baseball, shuffles through release.
Arm: RH. OF - 93 mph. Long loose arm action, over the top slot, carries out of the hand.
Hit: RHH. Tall setup, balanced stance, short lift and replace stride, smooth loading action.  Long levers, creates lift, loose hands above average bat speed with gap to gap approach.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Power potential bat.
Run: 6.78 runner in the 60. Long strider, low effort.

Delivery: Down tempo delivery, lands square, recoil finish.
Arm Action: RH. Electric arm, loose and quick out of high 3/4 slot.
FB: T94, 86-92 mph. Life through the zone, erratic life creates uncomfortable at bat.
CB: 65-69 mph. 10/4 shape.
CH: 77-79 mph. Slight arm decel.

6-foot-5, 185-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, high-waisted upside frame, oozes athleticism. On the mound, works with tempo, hip leads down the mound, foot strikes in-line and heel first, pop up finish, smooth rhythm. Short, loose arm action, quick out front, high ¾ slot. Electric arm speed on fastball, flashed late run and tilt, 86-92 mph, topped 93 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, slows arm, 59-66 mph. Changeup slight fade, some arm speed, 69-72 mph. Gets to max speed easily, long strides, 6.63 60-yard dash. Defensively plays through the ball, clean exchange, pats glove. Arm is loose and quick, high ¾ slot, ball comes out firm, throws carried 92 mph from the outfield. At the plate, open, tall setup, slight wrap load, long stride. Looseness in hands, uphill path, rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 95 mph from a tee.