The Rockies have added one of college baseball’s most explosive bats to their system, signing No. 37 overall pick Daniel Jackson for $2,297,500, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis.
Jackson arrives in Colorado after a junior season at Georgia that was flat-out historic. In 67 games, the catcher hit .379/.473/.803 with 32 home runs, 87 RBIs and 26 stolen bases.
He led NCAA Division I in runs and total bases, and he became the first catcher at that level to post at least 25 homers and 25 steals in the same season. That production also helped him win the Golden Spikes Award.
The numbers explain why Jackson was so highly regarded in the draft. He offers real power from the right side, can drive the ball to all fields and brings enough athleticism to matter on the bases. MLB Pipeline gave him a 60 power grade and pointed to improved contact ability, a key sign for a hitter whose raw strength already plays.
The offensive profile is the easy part. The tougher call is where Jackson ends up defensively, and that decision will shape how quickly he moves through Colorado’s farm system.
Jackson started 57 games behind the plate for Georgia and finished with a .997 fielding percentage. His work there is still considered raw, but his physical tools give him a chance to grow into a reliable professional catcher. If the Rockies decide his bat needs a different home, his athleticism gives them another option at a corner outfield spot.
Jackson said he wants to stay behind the plate, but he’s open to whatever helps him and the organization most.
“I want to catch as long as possible, but at the end of the day, whatever is going to give me the best output to help my team and whatever the organization wants is what I’m going to do,” Jackson said.
That kind of flexibility takes some of the pressure off the profile. If he sticks at catcher, the Rockies could have a rare blend of power and speed at a premium position. If he moves elsewhere, the bat still carries plenty of value.
Colorado now has to determine the defensive path that gives Jackson the best shot at reaching the majors. Either way, his college resume adds another high-upside hitter to a system that already includes Ethan Holliday and Charlie Condon.
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