Fitzpatrick: Top prospect Jordan Jacob off to hot start at Canadian Futures Showcase
Ontario Blue Jays infielder Jordan Jacob (Maple, Ont.), the No. 1 prospect on the 2025 Canadian Baseball Network Draft List, had a triple, two walks and two stolen bases in his first Canadian Futures Showcase game for Team Grey on Wednesday. Photo: Trevor Fitzpatrick
September 18, 2024
By Trevor Fitzpatrick
Canadian Baseball Network
Jordan Jacob’s climb to the top of the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2025 draft list has been impressive.
A first-generation baseball player, his journey began not on a diamond, but in a backyard.
“Me and my brothers are the first ones [in the family] to play baseball,” said Jacob, “If I remember correctly, we were in my grandma’s backyard and I was hitting baseballs over the fence. I guess I fell in love with it there.”
Working his way through the different levels of youth ball, he eventually landed with the Ontario Blue Jays.
Over the following years, Jacob (Maple, Ont.) began to fill out into his now 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame.
An imposing figure at the hot corner, he brings a prototypical power bat and cannon of an arm teams expect from their third basemen.
On scout day, his exit velocity peaked at 103.2 mph, good enough for fourth fastest of the Showcase.
These impressive characteristics earned him looks from numerous top colleges across the United States. Ultimately, the University of Pittsburgh won his commitment.
“I liked the vibes I got and the community when I got there for a visit,” Jacob explained, “The coach (Mike Bell) is a great guy, it’s close to home, and it’s just a beautiful city. I thought, ‘why wait? I might as well commit now.’”
Even though his dream of playing ball at the college level has been fulfilled, there’s still plenty of work to be done on the road ahead.
The Pittsburgh Panthers are coming off of an ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) second worst 10-20 record in 2024.
A lack of power was a big reason why. The team finished with 73 total home runs on the year. Meanwhile, for comparison, the 22-8 North Carolina Tar Heels finished with 113.
It was one of the reasons why Jacob was scouted by the team to begin with and one of the areas he’s actively working on in preparation.
“Hitting with power has been a big focus for me. There’s been, especially this year, some ups and downs with my swing that I’m sorting out now,” shared Jacob.
But adversity is not new to the corner infielder. In comparison to past obstacles, tweaking his swing likely feels like a breeze.
When Jacob first moved up to travel ball, he broke his ankle in the offseason, leaving him sidelined for nearly an entire season. His first series back he went 4-for-8 with a double.
Jordan Jacob (Maple, Ont.) had a triple, two walks and two stolen bases for Team Grey in their 7-2 win over Team New Blue at the Canadian Futures Showcase on Wednesday. He was named Player of the Game for his efforts. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays Academy
Looking at him move during Team Grey’s first game, you would never guess that he’s been tweaking his swing or that he ever hurt his ankle.
Team Grey dominated Team New Blue 7-2, in large part thanks to Jacob, who notched two RBIs with a triple, two walks, and two stolen bases.
“To be able to come out and get a big hit, steal a couple of bags, it felt pretty good to get the lead,” Jacob told Aidan Cowling-McDonnell. “My approach was to ‘See fastball, hit fastball’.”
Team Grey’s next game is against Team Navy at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday as Jacob continues to try to earn a spot in the Team Bautista versus Team Encarnacion All-Star Game on Saturday.