Mike Jacobs

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #12 prospect in 2006
  The Mets' minor league player of the year in 2003, Jacobs missed most of the following season with a torn labrum. He came back to win the Eastern League MVP and organization player of the year awards in 2005, and he also became the first big leaguer ever to homer four times in his first four games. But when New York had the chance to acquire Carlos Delgado in the offseason, it didn't hesitate to include Jacobs in the trade. He's primarily a pull hitter with power, but he can drive the ball to the opposite field on occasion. He has a smooth lefthanded stroke and is a purely offensive player. Though the Mets benched him against lefties, he posting an .896 OPS against them in Double-A. While he came up as a catcher, Jacobs split time behind the plate and at first base in Double-A and only played first with New York. He has below-average catch-and-throw skills but is adequate at first base. His swing can get long at times, and plate discipline never has been his strong suit. He'll probably wind up competing with Josh Willingham for Florida's first-base job, and if the Marlins settle on a platoon arrangement, Jacobs will get more at-bats because he hits lefthanded.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #30 prospect in 2005
  After winning the Mets' minor league player of the year award with a Double-A breakthrough in 2003, Jacobs barely played last year. A torn labrum and a cyst that had to be removed from his shoulder destroyed his season. If healthy, he's the best-hitting catcher in the system, offering outstanding opposite-field power and a fluid stroke. The labrum actually affected his hitting much more than his work behind the plate, because he had little strength in his swing before he was shut down in late April. His strike-zone discipline never has been as an asset. Before his shoulder problems, Jacobs already faced questions about his catching ability. He has a below-average arm, partly because he gets too tall while coming out of his crouch, slowing his release. He also is a below-average receiver. If he can't make it behind the plate, his bat will have to carry him if he becomes a first baseman. Jacobs wasn't cleared to swing the bat in time for instructional league, but New York hopes he'll be ready for spring training. If he's ready to go, he'll begin the 2005 season in Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #15 prospect in 2004
  While many players hit the wall in Double-A, Jacobs emerged as a prospect and had the best season of his five-year pro career there in 2003. He finished second among minor league catchers in batting and slugging. He earned the Mets' minor league player of the year award and a spot on their 40-man roster. Jacobs has outstanding opposite-field power, similar to Mike Piazza. But he still has plenty of work to do to make the majors. He's overly aggressive at the plate, which pitchers exploited in the past and may do so again. Defensively, he's a below-average receiver with below-average arm strength. He threw out just 20 percent of basestealers last year and stopped catching regularly once Justin Huber was promoted to Binghamton in June. Jacobs spent the rest of the season at DH and started six games at first base at the end of August. Some scouts consider Jacobs a lefthanded-hitting version of Pittsburgh's Craig Wilson, a slugger best suited for first base but capable of being a reserve catcher. The Mets will move him to Triple-A in 2004, leaving Huber at Double-A with the hope that Jacobs will improve his catching skills with regular duty behind the plate.