Mike Jacobs C/1B Mets

by rhodehead on Aug 25, 2005 10:04 AM EDT

Does anyone have a scouting report on this guy?

He has been tearing the cover off the ball in the little time that he has been up with the Mets so far to the tune of .538/.625 with 4 HR and 9 RBI in 4 games.

Extremely small sample size, but he has definitely caught my attention. He is a fairly young left handed bat, playing 1B (i think is the 3rd Catcher). Numbers in AAA look good this season as well...

Does he have enough power to stay at first? Should/will he get a look at 1B with the Mets next season? Of course, I am well aware he could fizzle out of memory with an 0 for 25 streak, but any feedback on him would be appreciated....

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Jacobs

He was hurt last year, and the Mets are worried about a catcher with injury problems. He does play multiple positions though, and Baseball America used a Craig Wilson comparison.

Couldnt find a true scouting report though.

Blue Jays - '92, '93

by SharpeShooter on Aug 25, 2005 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

Wilson - Jacobs Comp

Being a lefty hitter should give Jacobs a little bit of an edge, at least in terms of value. Luck would have it that they both spent significant time in AA at age 22; granted, this was pre-injury for Jacobs, but it might be a worthwhile comparison. I think Jacob's AA numbers this year might be a bit superficial given that he was repeating the league after having destroyed it the first time, and at 24 he certainly wasn't young for the league.

In 111 AA games at 22 years old (362 AB), Wilson hit .268/.345/.508. He had 21 2B, 20 HR, 40 BB and 104 Ks.

In 119 AA games at the same age (407 AB), Jacobs hit .329/.376/.548. He had 36 2B, 17 HR, 28 BB and 87 Ks.

And what does this say? I know I'm only looking at one season but it makes for the best comparison. Wilson has continued at about the same K rate in the majors, striking out in about 1/3 of his ABs.

Wilson would appear to have had a bit more raw power at the same age, but given that he was drafted in the second round, whereas Jacobs was drafted in the thirty-eighth, it might be inferred that Wilson simply had a more advanced feel for hitting from the beginning, but Jacobs was catching up.

Jacobs' power still isn't great, and his K rate is a bit too high and his BB rate a bit too low. I'd say he's probably going to be a valuable contributor, but not really an everyday guy. Probably more valuable in a backup role, albeit one where he's getting to play quite a bit.

Sorry if this was a bit longwinded. I think he really needs to play at AAA for a significant period of time in order to see what he really is. Sadly, that's unlikely to happen in a Brian Daubach infatuated Mets organization, and his clock is ticking.

by MontrealMets on Aug 25, 2005 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Jacobs

Jacobs was the Mets Minor League player of the year in 2003 after hitting .329 with 17 HRs at Binghamton. Was slated to play AAA last season but tore his labrum and missed nearly the entire season. Back at Bingy this year he has been tearing it up hitting around .320 with 25 or so HRs.

Seems the power is real, but he doesn't walk enough to be considered a "can't miss" guy. His catching is reportedly a liability so his future is either at 1B where he's played about 1/2 his games this season or being dealt to the DH friendly AL. I've only seen him once when he was a DH about 5 weeks ago. Very sweet swing from a very upright stance.

He is a six year minor league free agent this off-season. I don't know if that means Mets can keep him if he is kept on the 25-man roster, get an exclusive negotiating window with him, or have to bid against all-comers. John - can you clarify what "rights" an org has w/guys like this?