By, Brandon Rebboah
Note: Summer and baseball have always seemed to fit together perfectly. For fans of the game, summer is a time to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of America's pastime, but for college baseball players, it is a time for development. College players across the country, including members of the Santa Clara baseball squad, have already left for their summer experiences just weeks after finals as they begin preparation for the 2013 season.
After a much-improved 2012 campaign on the Mission Campus, Bronco ball players now occupy rosters throughout the nation in summer leagues that are helping them grow as players. Santa Clara is represented in nine different leagues from the Bay Area to New England, while others play for independent teams. The "All Summer Long" series, in its second season, will chronicle the Broncos as they play in various summer leagues nationwide, and in Canada as well.
MENLO PARK, Calif. – Soon-to-be sophomore C.J. Jacobe (Vacaville, Calif.) is still in the comfort of the Bay Area as he preps for his second season on the Mission Campus. Jacobe, an outfielder, is honing his skills while playing for the Menlo Park Legends as he prepares to battle for time in the Bronco lineup in 2013.
Following graduation in 2011 from Vacaville High School, Jacobe elected to attend Santa Clara despite being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 45th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
During his first season as a Bronco, Jacobe appeared in 19 games while starting five contests. Making the most of his limited at-bats, he tallied seven hits, three RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base during 2012. His rookie campaign was highlighted by a 2-RBI performance in an 8-5 loss at Cal on Apr. 11. In addition to his 23 at-bats, Jacobe who is also listed as a left-handed pitcher, made one appearance out of the bullpen for Santa Clara.
This summer with the Menlo Legends, who play in the Far West Baseball League, the rising sophomore is working on becoming a more consistent and disciplined offensive player. So far, the former A's draft pick has accrued 10 hits, including four extra-base knocks in 16 games with the Legends.
Jacobe is one of four Santa Clara representatives in the Far West League, which has eight teams including seven in California and one in Oregon. The Legends recently battled fellow Far West member, the Fontanetti Athletics, on July 3. Fontanetti's features two Broncos, redshirt freshman Tyler Olivet and soon-to-be senior Chris Mendoza. Fontanetti's outlasted the Legends 10-9, but Jacobe tallied two RBI.
"The thing that I have been working on is plate discipline and hitting the inside part of the ball," said Jacobe. "So far, I have drawn more walks and have been able to hit good pitches in good counts."
Check back to SantaClaraBroncos.com to find out where other current Bronco players are spending their summers in preparation for the 2013 Santa Clara season.