Former Nebraska baseball star Jackson Brockett was rewarded for his patience after not getting drafted last spring. Now he's signing with the Chicago Cubs' organization just as spring break opens.
Apparently, all that was needed to happen for the Cubs to get active on the free agent front was for a Spring Training game to take place. On the day of the Cubs first Cactus League game, Chicago has made not one, not two, but three Minor League pickups to bring to camp. Brockett and the Cubs have agreed to a Minor League deal. An undrafted free agent from the University of Nebraska, Brockett has spent the past six months trying to stay ready, hoping a call would come to sign with a club.
The former Nebraska baseball star is a long shot to make a major league roster or even rise through the ranks. However, with the World Baseball Classic coming up, the Cubs' roster will be depleted during the next few weeks.
Earned.
— Nebraska Baseball (@HuskerBaseball) February 23, 2026
Congrats to our guy @JaxBrockett13 for signing with the @Cubs ✍️ pic.twitter.com/XuN0Fnkv4F
Nebraska baseball pitcher Jackson Brockett signs Minor League deal with the Chicago Cubs
That could give the lefty pitcher a chance to show what he can do and get a chance to stick with the organization for the 2026 season.
Brockett, who is originally from Elkhorn, went 9-10 with a 4.44 ERA across 57 appearances as a Husker. In his senior season, Brockett made 15 starts, going 4-4 with a 3.66 ERA. Brockett struck out 45 and walked 23 in 64.0 innings of work.
During that time, he had an up-and-down couple of seasons, though at times he showed off enough talent to make Major League teams take notice. Most notably, during the 2024 season, he threw the sixth individual no-hitter in Nebraska baseball history against Kansas State. It was the first of its kind since 1954. Brockett was dominant, striking out 12 batters, and the performance won him several Player of the Week awards.