Guardians Baseball Insider

Photo credit: UC Riverside Athletics

The Cleveland Guardians selected Zach Jacobs- RHSP in the 18th round (541st overall) in the 2022 MLB Draft.

Zach Jacobs – RHSP

School: UC Riverside
Age: 20.9; Ht: 6’1; Wt: 170
Throws: Right

Pre-Draft Rankings:

GBI – rounds 16-20
Baseball America – NR
Prospects Live – NR
Perfect Game – NR

Willie Hood’s Analysis:

The California native made his collegiate debut in the West Coast League for the Kelowna Falcons as a 17-year-old starter/reliever. As a freshman (2020), he made 4 starts logging 28 innings with 15 strikeouts (4.82 k9) and 2 walks (0.64 BB9). In 2021, Jacobs the soft tossing right-hander struck out 61 (6.86 K9) with 16 walks (1.8 BB9) allowing 105 hits (11.81 H9) in 80 innings. He pitched that summer with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League striking out 24 (8.53 K9) while walking 8 batters (2.84 BB9) across 25.1 innings. The Highlanders ace made only 2 starts this season missing the bulk of the season as a result of injury. He missed time with shoulder soreness but is reportedly (per Guardians Scouting Director Scott Barnsby) healthy now.

Jacobs has a projectable small frame at 6’1, 170 with a quick arm with a low three-quarters arm slot and a repeatable delivery. He was one of the youngest third-year players (redshirt sophomore) available in the 2022 draft cycle. The athletic right-hander has an advanced feel to pitch and plus command His fastball sits 88-90, touching 91 mph. He has a low-mid 70s curveball, an upper 70s slider, and a changeup. The soon-to-be Guardians farm hand has the frame to add strength which should result in an uptick in his velocity and impact the quality of his secondaries. Jacobs should spend the bulk of his 2023 season in Low-A Lynchburg.

Press release:

Hailing from San Dimas, CA, the 20-year-old spent a trio of seasons in a UC Riverside Highlanders uniform, compiling a 3-9
record with a 4.47 ERA (58ER/116.2IP) across 19 games/starts. In 2021, the right-hander logged 88.0 innings in Big West
play, good for 4th-most in the conference, while his 14 starts that campaign ranked tied for 5th. Prior to his collegiate tenure,
Jacobs attended San Dimas HS (San Dimas, CA), where he was the all-time leader in wins (35), innings pitched (289.2) and
strikeouts (220).