Canisius junior outfielder Jackson Strong became the 16th player in program history to be drafted on Monday, selected by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Strong is the seventh junior from Canisius to be drafted, following junior pitcher Matt Duffy’s selection by the Boston Red Sox last year. His seventh-round selection (No. 206 overall) makes him the second-highest draft pick in school history, and he is the first player from a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) school to be taken in this year’s draft.
“This whole process was kind of a blur, but I am so happy and so blessed to be drafted today,” Strong said. “I was at home with my family watching the draft on TV. My agent called and told me Detroit was going to take me in either the seventh or eighth round, and then about five minutes later, it came up on the screen in the seventh round. It is a dream come true, and I am so excited to share this with my family because they have always been behind me every step of the way.”
With Strong’s selection, all 16 Canisius players drafted have been taken by an American League team. Strong is the first Canisius player chosen by the Tigers organization.
“Jackson has earned this opportunity, and we could not be prouder of all he has accomplished at Canisius,” said Canisius head baseball coach Matt Mazurek. “Jackson persevered, worked hard, and made the most of his opportunities. He became a two-time All-MAAC First-Team selection and now is the second-highest draft pick in our program’s history. This is a testament to who Jackson is and how he was raised. This is just the beginning for him, and we are excited to see where he will go.”
Strong is one of 10 players in program history to earn All-MAAC First Team honors multiple times (2023, 2024). He played in 111 career games, making 93 starts. His career .342 batting average ranks in the top-15 in program history, and his 24 career home runs rank seventh. He also ties the program’s all-time record in stolen bases with 57, highlighted by his school-record 42 stolen bases in 2024.
In 2024, the West Seneca, N.Y., native hit .305 with a .482 on-base percentage, a .621 slugging percentage, and a 1.130 OPS. He led Canisius in hits (62), runs (55), RBIs (44), triples (3), home runs (11), total bases (110), and steals. He ranked among the top-10 in the MAAC in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, runs, triples, home runs, and walks (41). His 42 stolen bases led the conference and ranked third in the NCAA.
A two-time MAAC All-Academic Team honoree and a three-time MAAC Academic Honor Roll selection, Strong played in three MAAC Baseball Championship tournaments and was on the Griffs’ active roster when they won the 2022 MAAC Baseball crown and advanced to the 2022 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament.
“I cannot say enough about Matt Mazurek and the Canisius baseball program,” Strong said. “Maz taught me to be disciplined and intentional in everything I do, on and off the field. He is a tremendous leader, and he made me work harder every day. I would not be here without my teammates, our assistant coaches, and everyone involved with our baseball program. I am excited and grateful to take what I learned at Canisius into the Tigers organization.”
Here are the Canisius Draft Picks:
– **Jackson Strong** – 2024 (Detroit Tigers, 7th round) #
– **Matt Duffy** – 2023 (Boston Red Sox, 4th round) #
– **Tyler Smith** – 2018 (Los Angeles Angels, 8th round)
– **Jake Lumley** – 2017 (Oakland Athletics, 33rd round)
– **Brett Siddall** – 2015 (Oakland Athletics, 13th round) #
– **Connor Panas** – 2015 (Toronto Blue Jays, 9th round)
– **Devon Stewart** – 2015 (Cleveland Indians, 9th round)
– **Rohn Pierce** – 2014 (Seattle Mariners, 19th round) #
– **Garrett Cortright** – 2013 (Baltimore Orioles, 40th round) #
– **Sean Jamieson** – 2011 (Oakland Athletics, 17th round)
– **Chris Cox** – 2011 (Toronto Blue Jays, 39th round)
– **Shane Davis** – 2011 (Toronto Blue Jays, 42nd round)
– **Steve McQuail** – 2010 (Toronto Blue Jays, 30th round) #
– **Kevin Mahoney** – 2009 (New York Yankees, 23rd round)
– **Kevin Mailloux** – 2009 (Seattle Mariners, 45th round)
– **Joe Mamott** – 1994 (Boston Red Sox, 6th round) #