When the Orioles shipped Cedric Mullins to the Mets at the trade deadline, it felt like the final chapter in a season that had already slipped away in the early months. But in the wake of that move, a new storyline quietly began to unfold-one that could have real staying power heading into 2026. That’s when 25-year-old Jeremiah Jackson made his major league debut, stepping into the spotlight just as Baltimore fans were looking for reasons to stay invested.
Jackson’s path to the big leagues wasn’t exactly a straight shot. Drafted in the second round by the Angels back in 2018, he never made it past Double-A during stints with both Los Angeles and the Mets. But after signing with the Orioles as a minor league free agent before last season, something clicked.
He started the year in Chesapeake and posted a modest .254/.291/.412 slash line over the first two months. Respectable, but nothing that screamed “call-up.”
Then he hit Norfolk-and flipped the script entirely. In 40 games at Triple-A, Jackson mashed to the tune of .377/.400/.673 with 11 homers and 22 RBIs.
That kind of production doesn’t just get noticed-it demands attention. His OPS soared past 1.000, a staggering leap from the .618 mark he posted across 122 Double-A games the year before.
With the Orioles reshuffling their roster post-deadline and holes opening up all over the diamond, Jackson got his shot. He didn’t come with a set position, but he came with a bat that was hard to ignore.
Between Chesapeake and Norfolk, Jackson had logged time all over the field-12 games at second base, 50 at shortstop, 13 at third, and a handful in the outfield. But with Gunnar Henderson locked in at short, Jackson Holliday entrenched at second, and Jordan Westburg needing regular reps at either second or third, Jackson had to carve out his own niche.
That opportunity came when Westburg went down with an ankle sprain, opening up time at third base. Jackson also saw plenty of action in right field, where he made 34 appearances. By season’s end, he’d played 13 games at third and even made a one-off appearance at second.
And he didn’t just survive-he contributed. Jackson slashed .276/.328/.447 over 170 big-league at-bats, with five home runs, 21 RBIs, and 20 runs scored. That kind of offensive output, paired with his positional flexibility, instantly put him in the conversation for Baltimore’s utility role heading into 2026.
But here’s where things get interesting. Is Jackson truly a utility man in the traditional sense?
Typically, a utility infielder needs to be able to handle shortstop, and a utility outfielder should be serviceable in center. Jackson hasn’t played either of those spots at the major league level.
While he’s logged plenty of innings at shortstop in the minors, it’s unclear whether new manager Craig Albernaz would trust him there in a big-league game. If Henderson needs a breather, Holliday could shift over with Westburg sliding to second.
That’s a more proven alignment.
As for center field, Jackson hasn’t played there since a brief stint in Double-A back in 2023. With Colton Cowser the current backup option and Leody Taveras looking like the favorite to handle the position until Enrique Bradfield Jr. is ready, Jackson doesn’t exactly profile as a natural fit up the middle. The Orioles have no shortage of corner outfielders-guys like Dylan Beavers, Taylor Ward, Tyler O’Neill, and a hopefully healthy Heston Kjerstad are all in the mix.
So what’s next for Jackson? He’s exceeded rookie limits, but he still has three minor-league options.
That gives Baltimore flexibility. If they decide he needs more seasoning defensively, they can send him back to Norfolk without losing him.
That could be especially useful if Bradfield Jr. is ready to contribute soon and the infield depth remains crowded.
Offensively, there’s no question Jackson belongs. But on a roster loaded with power-Pete Alonso joining Coby Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle at first base, and the trio of Henderson, Westburg, and Holliday offering All-Star upside in the infield-defensive versatility is going to be the deciding factor for that final bench spot.
The Orioles will be watching closely this spring in Sarasota. If Jackson shows he can handle multiple spots reliably-especially in center or on the left side of the infield-he’ll have a strong case to break camp with the big club. If not, he still offers real value as a depth piece, especially with injury concerns lingering around players like Westburg and O’Neill.
Jeremiah Jackson may not be your classic utility man just yet, but he’s knocking on the door. And if he keeps swinging the bat the way he did last year, the Orioles will find a way to keep him in the mix.