Keeping the dream alive
Ex-Milton star Jacobsak signs deal with Phillies
Sam Jacobsak found himself with the same difficult decision that so many undrafted players faced on Sunday morning after this year’s unprecedented Major League Baseball draft. So the Northeastern right-handed hurler asked himself something.
“What are you chasing? Are you chasing money, or are you chasing a dream?” said Jacobsak.
After quickly reaching an agreement to sign as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies, it’s obvious which side won out for the former Milton High star.
“At the end of the day, I’m chasing my dream,” said Jacobsak. “I know I have the stuff and I am going to be able to make it, so going in this year it’s just one step closer to the major leagues.”
While the decision on when to begin their professional career is always a complicated one for players like Jacobsak — who still had eligibility left as a junior with the Huskies — this year posed a unique set of circumstances with the draft shortened from 40 rounds to five, and signing bonuses capped at just $20,000 for undrafted players due to the economic strain of the pandemic.
The limited bonus incentive will prompt many such players to return to school, but Jacobsak instead used the leverage that he had to find the best situation possible.
“I told most teams that I am not just going to sign with anyone, I am not going to sign as some discount player,” said Jacobsak. “I want to see a plan and not just be some arm in your organization. I want you to believe in me and not just grab me because I am really cheap now.”
The Phillies were believers throughout the draft process. Jacobsak participated in multiple
Zoom calls with scouts and player development personnel from the organization before the draft. When he went unselected on Wednesday and Thursday, the Phillies were the first to call just after the free agent signing period began at 9 a.m. Sunday.
They are getting a 6-foot-5, 200pounder that appeared to be coming into his own when the season was cut short by COVID-19. After spending most of his first two campaigns at Northeastern as a reliever with inconsistent results, Jacobsak earned a rotation spot this spring and was flourishing, winning two of his first four starts while posting a 3.65 ERA and 0.99 WHIP.
Jacobsak credited his work with NU pitching coach Kevin Cobb that had his velocity sitting in the low 90s and touching 95, and improved control that he made a point of emphasis while pitching for the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League last summer. In 24.2 innings for Northeastern this year, he struck out 25 batters and walked just five.
“Things were just starting to roll and I was so pumped for our first home series — it was just devastating,” said Jacobsak of not being able to complete the season.
Jacobsak said that the Phillies indicated they will continue to develop him as a starter. Just when that development will start is still very much up in the air as minor league activities have been put on hold while the powers that be in baseball work out their differences.
Until then, Jacobsak will continue to work out locally and communicate remotely with the organization until he has someplace to report.
“Still waiting for MLB to make a move,” said Jacobsak. “I’ve got nowhere to go.”