The <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">2025 Major League Baseball Draft</a> featured 19 Canadian selections, including players with Canadian ties (not just born North of the border).
This year’s crop showcased a diverse range of talent, and among those selected were two intriguing Division I college players drafted by the New York Yankees: shortstop Core Jackson and right-handed pitcher Blake Gillespie.
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Baseball Canada continues to elevate the sport north of the border, not only by increasing interest but also by developing and exposing elite-level athletes who are earning strong collegiate opportunities. Jackson and Gillespie are proof of this pipeline, with their successful college careers now opening the door to professional baseball.
<hr data-start="871" data-end="874" />
<h2 data-start="876" data-end="940">Core Jackson – SS, Round 5 (164th overall)</h2>
Jackson, a native of Sarnia, Ontario, attended Lambton Central Collegiate and Vocational Institute before committing to the University of Nebraska in the Big Ten Conference. His freshman year saw him hit just .210 over 124 at-bats—a slow start to what would become an impressive turnaround.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
With their 5th‑round pick (No. 164 overall), the <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Yankees</a> select <a href="https://twitter.com/utahbaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@utahbaseball</a> shortstop Core Jackson.
Watch LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/VOZqOwm6uH">https://t.co/VOZqOwm6uH</a> <a href="https://t.co/tpSq9bkNdr">pic.twitter.com/tpSq9bkNdr</a>
&mdash; MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBDraft/status/1944798592310431954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Transferring to the University of Utah for his sophomore year, Jackson capitalized on the fresh start. In 106 more at-bats, he lifted his average to .363, while his slugging percentage jumped from .333 to .516.
In 2025, Jackson broke out with career highs:
<ul data-start="1497" data-end="1597">
<li data-start="1497" data-end="1517">
12 home runs
</li>
<li data-start="1518" data-end="1533">
44 RBIs
</li>
<li data-start="1534" data-end="1552">
19 doubles
</li>
<li data-start="1553" data-end="1576">
20 stolen bases
</li>
<li data-start="1577" data-end="1597">
61 runs scored
</li>
</ul>
His final slash line was impressive: .364/.445/.641, leading the Utes in multiple offensive categories.
Defensively, Jackson was just as impactful, leading the league with 163 assists. Over his three-year college career, he tallied 106 RBIs, 17 home runs, and 43 stolen bases, and was named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which honours the nation’s top collegiate shortstop.
Jackson’s two-way skill set makes him a strong addition to the Yankees’ farm system.
<hr data-start="2104" data-end="2107" />
<h2 data-start="2109" data-end="2177">Blake Gillespie – RHP, Round 9 (284th overall)</h2>
Right-hander <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/2025-mlb-draft-canadian-watchlist-blake-gillespie">Blake Gillespie</a> was one of three players drafted from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, alongside catcher Logan Poteet (Chicago Cubs) and pitcher Joel Sarver (Arizona Diamondbacks).
Gillespie was a workhorse for the 49ers this season, pitching 70 more innings than in any previous year. His junior campaign solidified his status as a draft-worthy prospect and landed him with the Bronx Bombers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
9th Round Pick Blake Gillespie is the first to put pen to paper. 
His slot value is $196,900. We’ll see how much he comes in at. <a href="https://t.co/I0ni7LhGZN">pic.twitter.com/I0ni7LhGZN</a>
&mdash; Yankees Prospect Watch (@NYY_Prospects) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYY_Prospects/status/1945594545535619114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He finished the season with:
<ul data-start="2674" data-end="2780">
<li data-start="2674" data-end="2703">
100 1/3 innings pitched
</li>
<li data-start="2704" data-end="2720">
2.42 ERA
</li>
<li data-start="2721" data-end="2737">
2.51 RA9
</li>
<li data-start="2738" data-end="2760">
131 strikeouts
</li>
<li data-start="2761" data-end="2780">
Only 19 walks
</li>
</ul>
One of the season’s highlights was a no-hitter, the second in school history, where Gillespie struck out 11 and allowed just one walk. His strikeout total ranked fourth in NCAA Division I baseball.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Blake Gillespie (<a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeGillespi13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlakeGillespi13</a>) has been selected in the 9th round of the 2025 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLBDraft</a> by the <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Yankees</a>!
The <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlotteBSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CharlotteBSB</a> right-hander led all D1 pitchers with 49 three-pitch strikeouts in 2025.
Gillespie’s slider generated a 41.8% Chase Rate (3rd nationally) and produced… <a href="https://t.co/I3inf7ljJZ">pic.twitter.com/I3inf7ljJZ</a>
&mdash; 643 Charts (@643charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/643charts/status/1944832569079742565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Gillespie was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2025. Known for his command, baseball IQ, and fearless approach, he is expected to rise quickly through the Yankees’ minor league system. He has already signed with New York, with the bonus figures unknown at the time of writing.
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The <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">2025 Major League Baseball Draft</a> featured 19 Canadian selections, including players with Canadian ties (not just born North of the border).
This year’s crop showcased a diverse range of talent, and among those selected were two intriguing Division I college players drafted by the New York Yankees: shortstop Core Jackson and right-handed pitcher Blake Gillespie.

<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>
Baseball Canada continues to elevate the sport north of the border, not only by increasing interest but also by developing and exposing elite-level athletes who are earning strong collegiate opportunities. Jackson and Gillespie are proof of this pipeline, with their successful college careers now opening the door to professional baseball.


<hr data-start="871" data-end="874" />

<h2 data-start="876" data-end="940">Core Jackson – SS, Round 5 (164th overall)</h2>
Jackson, a native of Sarnia, Ontario, attended Lambton Central Collegiate and Vocational Institute before committing to the University of Nebraska in the Big Ten Conference. His freshman year saw him hit just .210 over 124 at-bats—a slow start to what would become an impressive turnaround.
https://twitter.com/MLBDraft/status/1944798592310431954
Transferring to the University of Utah for his sophomore year, Jackson capitalized on the fresh start. In 106 more at-bats, he lifted his average to .363, while his slugging percentage jumped from .333 to .516.
In 2025, Jackson broke out with career highs:

<ul data-start="1497" data-end="1597">
 	<li data-start="1497" data-end="1517">
12 home runs
</li>
 	<li data-start="1518" data-end="1533">
44 RBIs
</li>
 	<li data-start="1534" data-end="1552">
19 doubles
</li>
 	<li data-start="1553" data-end="1576">
20 stolen bases
</li>
 	<li data-start="1577" data-end="1597">
61 runs scored
</li>
</ul>
His final slash line was impressive: .364/.445/.641, leading the Utes in multiple offensive categories.
Defensively, Jackson was just as impactful, leading the league with 163 assists. Over his three-year college career, he tallied 106 RBIs, 17 home runs, and 43 stolen bases, and was named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which honours the nation’s top collegiate shortstop.
Jackson’s two-way skill set makes him a strong addition to the Yankees’ farm system.


<hr data-start="2104" data-end="2107" />

<h2 data-start="2109" data-end="2177">Blake Gillespie – RHP, Round 9 (284th overall)</h2>
Right-hander <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/2025-mlb-draft-canadian-watchlist-blake-gillespie">Blake Gillespie</a> was one of three players drafted from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, alongside catcher Logan Poteet (Chicago Cubs) and pitcher Joel Sarver (Arizona Diamondbacks).
Gillespie was a workhorse for the 49ers this season, pitching 70 more innings than in any previous year. His junior campaign solidified his status as a draft-worthy prospect and landed him with the Bronx Bombers.
https://twitter.com/NYY_Prospects/status/1945594545535619114
He finished the season with:

<ul data-start="2674" data-end="2780">
 	<li data-start="2674" data-end="2703">
100 1/3 innings pitched
</li>
 	<li data-start="2704" data-end="2720">
2.42 ERA
</li>
 	<li data-start="2721" data-end="2737">
2.51 RA9
</li>
 	<li data-start="2738" data-end="2760">
131 strikeouts
</li>
 	<li data-start="2761" data-end="2780">
Only 19 walks
</li>
</ul>
One of the season’s highlights was a no-hitter, the second in school history, where Gillespie struck out 11 and allowed just one walk. His strikeout total ranked fourth in NCAA Division I baseball.
https://twitter.com/643charts/status/1944832569079742565
Gillespie was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2025. Known for his command, baseball IQ, and fearless approach, he is expected to rise quickly through the Yankees’ minor league system. He has already signed with New York, with the bonus figures unknown at the time of writing.


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