Jackson Cluff is walking away from baseball at 29.
The former Mets and Cubs shortstop announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that he is retiring immediately after eight professional seasons. Cluff made the announcement on Instagram, where he reflected on the grind and the opportunities the game gave him.
“After 8 professional seasons and a lifetime spent chasing this dream, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the game,” Cluff wrote on Instagram. “It’s hard to put into words what baseball has meant to me and how grateful I am for everything it has given me.
But, I’m really excited for what’s next. What a ride it’s been.”
Cluff’s path took him through the Nationals’ system before reaching Triple-A stops with the Mets and Cubs organizations. In 2025, he put together a career-best season with Washington’s Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, hitting 12 home runs and posting a .242/.349/.422 slash line in 103 games.
The following year brought a tougher run. Cluff played 80 games for the Syracuse Mets and Iowa Cubs in 2026 and finished with a .164/.295/.306 line.
New York signed him to a minor-league deal in November 2025, and he also got into 10 Grapefruit League games with the club, going 3-for-18 with five walks. The Mets later released him in August after he batted .169 in 62 games, and the Cubs picked him up soon after.
He then appeared in 18 games for Iowa, hitting .148.
The Nationals selected Cluff in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of BYU. By 2021, MLB Pipeline ranked him as Washington’s No. 17 prospect. That same year, he was named Defensive Player of the Year for his work with the Arizona Fall League’s Surprise Saguaros.
In his retirement note, Cluff thanked all three organizations that shaped his career.
“To the @nationals, thank you for taking a chance on the kid from BYU that was ‘too old’ for the draft,” Cluff wrote. He added, “To the @mets, thank you for giving me an opportunity no others were willing to do. To the @cubs, thank you for giving me a chance to finish out my career in the midst of my most challenging season.”
In Other News...
Virginias Toughest Early Question Could Decide Close Games
Virginia opens with a slate that should tell us a lot about where this roster stands after losing several key pieces from last season. The Cavaliers still have enough continuity to avoid a total reset, with starters back alongside newcomers who are expected to matter right away, but the early schedule will force those pieces to come together quickly against ranked opponents.
The bigger question is what Virginia looks like when the game tightens and the offense has to produce under pressure. Thijs De Ridder and Chance Mallory are projected to drive much of the scoring load, and the way they handle those possessions could define a lot of close finishes. Around them, Sam Lewis, Jurian Dixon and Christian Harmon are also in the mix to handle important shots and decisions, which gives Tony Bennett options but also leaves the Cavs with a race to see who emerges when the margin gets thin. [Read more 🡒]
Tony Elliott Sends Clear Message As Virginia Offense Keeps Slipping
Virginias offense has hit a rough patch at just the wrong time, and Tony Elliott is making it clear he does not see a quick-fix reset coming. The Cavaliers have dropped three of their last four games, and the production has sagged enough to prompt questions about personnel and play-calling, especially with Beau Pribula under center and Des Kitchings handling the offense.
Elliott pushed back on the idea of shaking up the structure, instead pointing to the full picture around the quarterback rather than placing the burden on one player. He cited the kind of breakdowns that can turn a drive sideways, including drops, protection issues and execution lapses, as the reasons Virginia has had trouble sustaining momentum and finding the rhythm it needs. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Offense Nears A Tough Decision As Losses Keep Mounting
As Virginia keeps coming up short in tight games, Tony Elliott is weighing more than just the next lineup card. The Cavaliers head coach said the recent run of close losses has made it clear the offense needs better play across the board, along with cleaner coaching and execution, if the team is going to turn those finishes into wins.
One of the more intriguing pieces in that conversation is backup quarterback Eli Holstein, who has made a positive impression in practice and is viewed as ready if called on. Elliott made it clear Holstein could be part of the answer if the right moment presents itself, but the larger question for Virginia is whether adding another quarterback wrinkle would actually help steady an offense still searching for the right formula. [Read more 🡒]