Jackson
Smith

Verbally committed to Bradley.

Smith is a talented left-handed hitter that has continued to show well after a successful spring where he was named PBR Third Team All-State. Twitchy athlete standing at a lanky 6-foot, 175-pounds with plenty of room for added strength. Compact left-handed swing with quick hands that work inside the ball, helping utilize an all-fields approach. Above-average bat-speed with advanced feel for the barrel. Tripled down the rightfield line on Friday, showing off an above average run tool. Defensively, ranges well to both sides up the middle and has the arm-strength to play both positions. High-ceiling prospect that has been trending up in 2023. Currently ranked No. 86 in the state’s 2024 class. Committed to Bradley shortly following the event.

Smith is a twitchy athlete that impressed in front of our staff throughout the weekend. Smooth, compact left-handed swing with quick hands. Flashed bat speed. Barreled a double the other way on Saturday. Rangy defender up the middle, made a couple nice plays ranging to his right. Also has a smooth arm action with strength. No. 86 ranked player in the Illinois 2024 class and was recently PBR Illinois Third Team All-State.

Smith’s slash line of .511/.578/.772 shows why the uncommitted junior landed on our third team. Smith’s season for Providence Catholic cemented himself as a high-follow prospect in the 2024 class. The middle infielder recorded 28 RBI and 65 hits during his junior campaign and was a sparkplug in the Providence Catholic lineup.

MIF Jackson Smith (Providence Catholic, 2024), a recent Bradley commit, is a 6-foot, 175-pound, lean athletic, left-handed hitting middle infielder who has been on the rise in 2023. During BP he was on the barrel consistently, controlling the barrel and lining balls to all fields while registering a 93.3 mph max exit velocity. Defensively, he stood out with his athletic ability up the middle, where he showed to be sure-handed and rangy to both sides. Also showcased a loose and whippy arm that can play from multiple slots, topping at 83 mph. Smith rounded out his day with a 6.92 60 (tied for 5th best at the event). 

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 86 in Illinois’ class of 2024. The 6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder continues to impress our staff with every game. Smith went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and a walk during their playoff game against Lockport. Showed power with his lone hit of the game in the first inning, taking a 2-1 fastball over the center field wall for a two-run home run to put his team ahead early. Defensively, has range to both sides of the field with athletic footwork and clean hands - ranged up the middle for a diving play early in the game. A polished bat with quality defensive actions that’s still uncommitted.

Uncommitted. Listed at a lean 6-foot, 175-pounds with plenty of room for added strength. Started at second base and hit out of the two-hole for the Celtics. The left-handed hitter has upside in his swing; coils into his load before firing through the zone with a loose and quick bat. Showed off impressive instincts at the plate and on the bases; pulling a double down the right field line and thinking double the entire time out of the box, making it to second with ease. High-follow 2024 infielder. 

Uncommitted. Athletic, projectable 6-foot, 175-pounds. Has been playing second and batted second in the lineup throughout the season. Balanced, athletic look in the box, with minimal movement pre-pitch. Came up with two big hits for the Celtics and went 2-for-4 on the day with two RBIs. During his second at-bat down 0-1, Smith placed a double down the first base line to add insurance to a 1-0 game at the time. In the seventh inning and final at-bat, down 0-2 stayed on a breaking ball and shot it the other way to score the winning run and give his team a walk-off victory. A left-handed hitting infielder to keep an eye on.

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Lean frame, projectable with room to add on strength.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, fluid load and short stride. Easy effort, stays inside the baseball, controls the barrel, whole field approach and stays within himself.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 291’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Loose arm, plays on the move and from multiple slots, athletic.
Defense: Soft, fluid hands, athletic actions with feel and rhythm .
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

Uncommitted, 6-foot, 160-pound, left-handed hitting middle infielder. Only a sophomore, Smith played shortstop and batted second for Providence. Finished 1-for-3 with a double. Simple, balanced stance, hands held high, smooth toe tap stride. Athletic hands with bat speed, repeatable, compact swing, drives the baseball to all fields. In his second at-bat, Smith lined a double to right field on a 1-1 count. Easy, athletic actions defensively with quick footwork, soft hands, plays through the baseball. 

Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Long Projectable frame
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, toe-tap stride. Easy, balanced swing. Handsy. Repeatable. Uses the whole field. Remains balanced throughout.
Power: 87.4 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 257’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, whippy arm action. 3/4 slot. Accurate throws to the base on the move.
Defense: Quick feet, aggressive, quick release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 6.84 runner in the 60.

Smith has a 6-foot, 160-pound wiry/lean frame, ran a 6.84, and he profiles as a top-of-the-order middle infielder moving forward. He flashed an easy, balanced, handsy swing featuring barrel control from a spray approach. Defensively, he plays fast with quick, active feet, sure hands, and a consistently fast glove-to-hand release from a low slot. He profiles as a potential spark plug-type.