Future Lefty All-Star Jackson Cotton Commits To Texas A&M University | Bo Porter Academy Is Officially On The Map

Future Lefty All-Star Jackson Cotton Commits To Texas A&M University | Bo Porter Academy Is Officially On The Map

All eyes on me. 

In a press conference today on May 18th, 2022, top high school prospect Jackson Cotton announced that he will play baseball at Texas A&M University.  

After he made his commitment, Jackson got a very special phone call. Del Mathews, from Major League Baseball, was on speaker and wanted to say that he was “so proud of the way he (Jackson) has conducted himself and the way he has gone about his business. Keep grinding and I am looking forward to seeing you this summer.”   

Jackson was honored to be on MLB’s map at such a young age.

“It’s a really big accomplishment because it shows how much they value me as a player and how much my hard work has paid off.” Jackson said. “Without any of this, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today.” 

 

Father John Was An Olympic Gold Medalist In 2000

Jackson Cotton is an outfielder and LHP from Missouri City, TX. He stands at 6’0 tall and weighs 160 lbs. He currently attends Episcopal High School, home of the Maroons, where he will graduate in 2025. He is the son of former MLB Draft pick and Olympic Gold Medalist, John Cotton, who played 15 seasons in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 10th round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft. 

Everyone wants a piece of Jackson; Bo Porter being one of them.

Bo knows good stock and in the case of Jackson Cotton, Bo has taken the Texas lefty under his wing and will have him join his Academy for Athletic Excellence (Bo Porter Academy), a new baseball school that stresses academic and athletic excellence and a holistic life experience. 

Setting the standard. Striving for excellence. Producing productive people. This is… Bo Porter Academy. Bo helps student athletes to become tomorrow’s transformational leaders and influencers, both in sports and in life, which will surely help this up-and-coming star. 

Bo has had a big impact on Jackson and helped him make his decision to join the Aggies in 2025.

When asked why he chose Texas A&M, Jackson said, “it was the first college that really showed a lot of interest in me. I loved the atmosphere; it just felt like home.”  

Jackson hits from a spread and even stance; he shows good separation, presents bat speed on a clean path, and is consistent with his barrel skills with big power projection.

 

 

Over the past season, Jackson has mainly played in the outfield for Episcopal. He has easy strides with obvious athleticism. His play is under control and balanced. Under the radar, he clocked up to 85 mph on throws. 

Jackson is also a pitcher for the Maroons. His up-tempo delivery with compact mechanics makes him extremely dangerous; he will most likely fool quite a few hitters this Summer and Fall. His favorite pitch is his fastball, which sits at about 80-82 mph and his sharp slider, with a flashed feel to spin.

Bo Porter Academy Signing Nation’s Top JHS/HS Recruits | Black Players With Skills 

Jackson is a high-level two-way projection. In 2021, he was added to the National Underclass South Showcase Top Prospect List. Jackson headlines the first distinguished recruiting class of Bo Porter’s elite academy and joins other national prospects from within Texas; such as infielder Kaden Williams (Class of 2024), imposing 6-foot-7 pitcher Kobe Beaudion (Class of 2024) and frontline catcher prospect Avery Spriggs (Class of 2025). 

Porter is also adding elite out-of-state recruits such as switch-hitting, shortstop/utility specialist JC Gamble (Class of 2025) from Long Island, NY, who’s also known as the “Human Highlight Film” and one of the best high average hitters and all-around defensive players in the state of NY.   

Jackson Cotton will be an early difference maker for BPA with “baseball in his blood.” Give this kid a chance and never look back. We could be looking at a future MLBbro. 

Bo Porter & John Cotton Share Wealth Of Baseball Knowledge With Young Black Knights Of Hank Aaron Invitational

Bo Porter & John Cotton Share Wealth Of Baseball Knowledge With Young Black Knights Of Hank Aaron Invitational

The Hank Aaron Invitational is a two-week baseball extravaganza camp held from July 17- 30 at Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida. It’s operated by MLB, the MLBPA and USA Baseball.  Approximately 250 Black and brown players (ages 13-18) from across the United States receive elite-level training from former Major League players and coaches.

Instructors include former Major League manager Jerry Manuel and former All-Stars such as Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., his dad Ken Griffey Sr, Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, Tom “Flash” Gordon, Marquis Grissom, Reggie Smith, Luis Alicea, Willie Banks, Lou Collier, Eric Davis, Marvin Freeman, Charles Johnson, Pat Mahomes Sr, among others.

Bo Porter, a former MLB player, manager, coach, executive, and Washington Nationals announcer is also one of the instructors. Porter currently serves as MLB’s Director of Coaching Development.

In the spirit of the Hank Aaron Invitational and its commitment to leveling out the playing field for minority athletes, Porter has an academy that opened out of Texas in 2021 called Bo Porter’s Future All-Stars Sports Development Academy. Former Olympic gold medalist and 15-year minor league pro, John Cotton, is Director of Baseball Operations for the academy.

The goal of the facility is to inspire student-athletes and future MLBbros to achieve whole-person development, educating and advising parents, and empowering educators and coaches to become transformational leaders.

Da Gambler caught up with these baseball lifers as they evaluated talent at the Hank Aaron Invitational this past week.