Daniel Jackson, a star catcher for the University of Georgia, has become the focal point of baseball conversations after being crowned the nation’s top player with the Golden Spikes Award.
A Historic Season
In the 2023 campaign Jackson etched his name into NCAA history as the first Division I catcher to post a 25‑home‑run, 25‑stolen‑base season, finishing with 32 homers, 26 steals and a .379 batting average while driving in 87 runs.
His dominance extended to the SEC, where he topped the conference in homers, batting average and RBIs, a performance that propelled his stock among the nation’s most coveted prospects.
Analysts project Jackson somewhere between the 20th and 52nd overall pick, with most major outlets ranking him as high as No. 20 and as low as No. 52, while Baseball America places him at No. 36, praising his all‑fields power and athleticism.
The draft itself will unfold on July 11, when Jackson will learn his new team while staying with family in Sandy Springs, a moment his father expects to cement his son’s status as the draft’s premier selection.
Having transferred from Wofford College before his sophomore year, Jackson honed his skills under Georgia’s program, earned the Buster Posey Award at the MLB combine in Arizona, and met with 22 teams ahead of the draft.
With the Astros holding picks in the 17‑to‑28 range, the team could be a perfect fit, but regardless of the destination Jackson’s historic collegiate résumé ensures he will be remembered as one of the most electrifying catchers to ever play the game.