CINCINNATI, OH — In what’s being called the most jaw-dropping youth signing in MLB history, the Cincinnati Reds have reportedly inked a 10-year-old pitching sensation from suburban Ohio to a developmental deal — and yes, his nickname is “The Baby Rocket.”
His real name? Jackson “Jax” Rucker.
But on every Ohio baseball field from Columbus to Cleveland, he’s simply known as the kid who broke a radar gun with a Wiffle Ball.
The Fastest Arm in Little League… Ever?
According to team insiders and verified video footage now flooding TikTok, Jax was clocked at a jaw-dropping 95 MPH equivalent velocity — with a Wiffle Ball.
The clip, posted by his coach last week, shows the 4’8” phenom winding up with perfect mechanics, delivering a pitch that nearly splits the plastic strike zone in half. The sound alone is unlike anything scouts have heard at the youth level.
“We thought the radar gun was broken,” said Greg Sweeney, a Reds scout who first saw the video. “Then he threw two more just like it. I’ve never seen arm whip like that from someone who’s still in elementary school.”
Reds Move Fast, Make Youth Signing History
Though MLB teams are prohibited from signing minors to professional contracts, the Reds worked with league officials to create a developmental pipeline agreement — reportedly the first of its kind. Jax will train year-round with Reds-affiliated youth coaches, undergo biomechanical testing, and have a locker at Great American Ball Park by age 13.
“This is a once-in-a-generation talent,” one Reds front office exec told a Cincinnati radio station. “You don’t wait around on that.”
The Baby Rocket Brand Is Already Taking Off
Within 48 hours of the announcement, “The Baby Rocket” was trending on X (formerly Twitter), and his family confirmed they’ve been approached by Netflix, ESPN, and even LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment for documentary rights.
Wiffle Ball USA offered him a lifetime sponsorship. Nike reportedly sent a custom pair of size 5 cleats with “ROCKET” stitched across the heel.
His school, meanwhile, says he’s still finishing fourth grade — and still grounded for not doing the dishes.
Fans React: “Is He Real?”
Baseball fans are divided between awe and disbelief.
- “This can’t be real. That’s a grown man in a kid suit.”
- “I watched the video ten times. That kid has a major league slider… and he’s 10.”
- “Let him pitch one inning at the All-Star Game. Just once.”
Whether “The Baby Rocket” ever plays a real MLB inning or not, he’s already lighting up the baseball world like no one since Little League legend Danny Almonte — only this time, the age is real.
