Mike Jacobs (first baseman)

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Mike Jacobs
Runs batted in
312
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Michael James Jacobs (born October 30, 1980) is an American former professional

Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Arizona Diamondbacks
.

Career

Minor Leagues

Mike Jacobs graduated from

1999 Major League Baseball Draft.[3]

Originally signed as a

Binghamton Mets
, won an award.

In May 2004, while playing for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, Jacobs suffered an arm injury and underwent surgery for a torn labrum, which ended his season prematurely. Because of his injury and mediocre defensive skills behind the plate, when Jacobs returned to Binghamton in 2005, he spent much of the season learning to play first base. He batted .321 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs while learning his new position and going on to win the MVP award.

On December 18, 2010, Jacobs was signed by the Colorado Rockies [4] and played for the affiliate triple-A team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While there, Jacobs was suspended for fifty games after testing positive for HGH.[5] Jacobs was released from the Colorado Rockies on August 18, 2011.

New York Mets

Jacobs made his major league debut with the Mets on August 21,

pinch-hit home run against Esteban Loaiza of the Washington Nationals in his first ever Major League at-bat.[6] Jacobs rather instantly assumed the position of everyday first baseman and continued to hit, tallying four home runs through three games, during the Mets' 4-game drubbing of the Arizona Diamondbacks. During this stretch the Mets were able to pull within a half-game of the National League Wild Card lead, but faded quickly, dropping two straight games at home to the Philadelphia Phillies
and promptly falling out of the race. Jacobs continued to play well, increasing his stock as a trade chip by slugging a monstrous .710 in his five weeks as a major leaguer.

Jacobs with the Florida Marlins in 2008

Florida Marlins

In only 30 games and 100

$
7 million.

In 2006 with the Marlins, Jacobs played in 136 games while hitting .262 with 20 home runs and 77 RBIs. In 2007, he only played in 114 games, but still improved on his batting average hitting .265 that season including 17 home runs and 54 RBIs. In 2008 Jacobs saw increased playing time and had a break out season in power with 32 home runs and 93 RBI but his batting average slipped to .247.

Kansas City Royals

After the

Leo Núñez.[7] While initially thought to split time at first base with Billy Butler
, he was mostly the team's DH due to inconsistent play on the field. Following the season, Jacobs was released by the Royals on December 10.

Return to New York

Jacobs with the New York Mets in 2010

On February 10, 2010, the Mets signed Mike Jacobs to a minor league contract. He was selected as the Mets' opening day first baseman after Daniel Murphy went on the disabled list with a strained MCL.[8]

On April 18, Jacobs was designated for assignment.[9]

On April 25, 2010, Jacobs cleared waivers and accepted assignment to the AAA Buffalo Bisons of the International League.

Toronto Blue Jays

On July 30, 2010, he was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later. He was released at the end of the 2010 season.

Colorado Rockies

Jacobs signed as a minor league free agent with the Colorado Rockies on December 18, 2010.[10]

On August 18, 2011, while playing for the AAA

Human Growth Hormone. In response, Jacobs was released by the Rockies.[11]

Jacobs during his tenure with for the Reno Aces, triple-A affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in 2012

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 4, 2012, Jacobs signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. On September 19, he was called up and played his first Major League game since April 17, 2010.

Seattle Mariners

On January 3, 2013, Jacobs signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[12] On March 23, 2013, he was released by the Mariners. [13]

Guerreros de Oaxaca

On April 13, 2013, Jacobs signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League. He was released on June 2. In 36 games he hit .275/.367/.565 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs.

Second Stint with Arizona

On June 4, 2013, the D'backs signed Jacobs back to a minor league deal. Jacobs had been playing in the Mexican League.[14] Jacobs returned to AAA Reno for the 2014 season. He participated in the AAA Home Run Derby that same year.

Guerreros de Oaxaca (second stint)

On March 26, 2015, it was reported that Jacobs had signed on to return to play for the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[15] In 111 games he hit .276/.353/.436 with 14 home runs, 83 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

Lancaster Barnstormers

On March 25, 2016, Jacobs signed with the

Lancaster Barnstormers.[16]
In 79 games he hit .236/.320/.326 with 5 home runs, 24 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

Toros de Tijuana

On May 3, 2016, Jacobs signed with the

Mexican Baseball League
. He was released on June 28. In 43 games he hit .295/.412/.514 with 6 home runs, 21 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

Coaching Career

Miami Marlins organization

Jacobs retired after 2016 season and was hired by the Miami Marlins to manage their Class A Short-Season Batavia Muckdogs.

Jacobs managed the Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League in 2019.

For the 2021 season Jacobs managed the

Beloit Snappers.[17]

Cincinnati Reds organization

He was named game planning coach for the Louisville Bats in 2023.

In 2025, Jacobs was named as hitting coach for the Chattanooga Lookouts the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Personal life

Jacobs got married in December 2006 and resides in Chula Vista during the baseball offseason. He has four daughters, Havana, Isabella, Sophia and Juliana.

Contrary to popular belief, Jacobs is not

Jewish. This was apparently not known to the Marlins when, on May 28, 2006, as part of the team's Jewish Heritage Day promotion, they gave Jacobs T-shirts to young fans who attended the game.[18] In reference to this, Jewish sports podcast Menschwarmers refers to non-Jews with Jewish-sounding names as "Mike Jacobs All Stars."[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ De Nicola, Christina (May 23, 2024). "Q&A: Catching up with Faucher". MLB.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  2. ^ Brents, Phillip (April 2, 2019) [April 2, 2019]. "Hilltop baseball's Gritts posts 300th career coaching win". www.thestarnews.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  3. ^ "Griffins in the Pros". Grossmont College. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012.
  4. ^ "Mike Jacobs Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac".
  5. ^ "MLB suspends first player for positive HGH test". August 18, 2011.
  6. ^ "Washington Nationals 7, New York Mets 4". Baseball-Reference.com. August 21, 2005.
  7. ^ KC acquires power-hitting Jacobs
  8. ^ "Mets sign Jacobs to minor-league deal". CNN. February 10, 2010. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011.
  9. ^ "Sources: Mets to promote 1B prospect Davis". April 18, 2010.
  10. ^ "Rockies Sign Jacobs as Insurance Behind Helton".
  11. ^ Mike Jacobs suspended for HGH
  12. ^ "Mike Jacobs signed to Minor League deal". November 7, 2016.
  13. ^ "Mariners release Garland, Jacobs". Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  14. ^ "Minor Moves: Irwin, Chang, Teahen, Jacobs". June 4, 2013.
  15. ^ "Mike Jacobs llega a los Guerreros de Oaxaca". March 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "Barnstormers Pick up Star Slugger". oursportscentral.com. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  17. ^ "Marlins announce Minor League field staffs for 2017". Archived from the original on February 3, 2017.
  18. ^ Joe Posnanski (April 20, 2009). "The curious case of Mike Jacobs, my new favorite Royal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  19. ^ "Here are some Jews to root for at the 2022 Winter Olympics". February 3, 2022.
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