Orioles Top Prospect No. 26: Brett Jacobson

Reliever Brett Jacobson came to the Orioles via a trade with the Detroit Tigers earlier this season as the centerpiece (and only piece) of the Aubrey Huff deal.

And while he didn't necessarily enhance his reputation as "inconsistent," he still provides the Orioles with one of the most talented relieving prospects in the system.

Jacobson came to the Orioles from the Tigers, but before that he came to the Tigers via the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft. The 6'6'' right-hander could have gone higher due to his skill set but fell to the fourth after concerns about his consistency scared other teams away.

Prior to being a part of the Detroit organization, Jacobson was a three-year starter/reliever at Vanderbilt. He started each season as a starter, but finished each in the bullpen, where he had much greater success. It was coming out in relief that the Tigers saw the chance to develop Jacobson as a quick-moving reliever.

Brett Jacobson, RHP, 22-Years-Old

And quickly Jacobson did move. In his first taste of pro ball, the Tigers assigned Jacobson to Low-A West Michigan.

The 21-year-old thrived, finishing the season with a 1.52 ERA in 21 games. He struck out 31 batters in only 30 innings, while walking only five. It looked as if he had tamed his inconsistent demons.

Jacobson's stellar debut earned him a promotion to High-A Lakeland in 2009. While he didn't exactly set the world afire, the righty pitched fairly well, and before his trade to the Orioles, he had saved six games for the Tigers, finishing with a 3.74 ERA in 35 games, spanning 55.1 innings.

Upon arrival in Baltimore, the O's assigned him to their High-A affiliate, Frederick. Jacobson didn't immediately take to the change of scenery, as he surrendered at least one earned run in each of his first five appearances. Over the last two games, however, Jacobson showed his good side, striking out three in three innings, allowing only one hit.

On the season, Jacobson's ugly turn at Frederick (1-2, 6.30 ERA, 11 K, 9 BB) somewhat skewed his season line which looked like this: 2-5, 4.13 ERA, 55 K, 26 BB in 65.1 innings.

Brett Jacobson, RHP, 22-Years-Old

In terms of stuff, Jacobson is one of the most talented pitchers (starter or reliever) in the system. His fastball tops out in the mid 90s (ranging 92-95 mph) and out of the bullpen, is possibly the best the O's system has to offer.

His command on the pitch was questionable in college, but improved dramatically with more individual coaching in the minors. It is still something that Jacobson has plenty of room to improve on as his Frederick debut showed.

In terms of a second pitch, Jacobson has been working on a curveball, which works favorably with his height. He had a slider, but ditched it after showing little command, and appears to have taken to the curveball, which made great strides during the 2009 campaign.

It doesn't appear that Jacobson will need anything more than a fastball-curveball combo coming out of the pen.

Brett Jacobson, RHP, 22-years-old

Jacobson was tabbed as a fast-moving prospect in the Tigers system, and he has that same projection in the O's system. His command is cause for concern, however, and may slow his progress just a bit, but in a system where the top relieving prospects have mostly graduated to the big league level or stalled as AAAA talent, Jacobson should get his turn sooner or later.

Now profiling as a back of the bullpen arm, possibly as a set-up man, Jacobson should probably go back to Frederick to start the year. The move would allow him to rebuild his confidence and let him adjust to the new organization. I'd give him a few weeks there, two months tops, and then move him up to AA Bowie, provided he showed improvement with his command.

Jacobson could end up in Baltimore some time in 2010 if he makes all the right adjustments, and could be an integral part of a competing Orioles club, although 2011 seems more likely.