Former Titan Player Jacobs Will Cool His Heels in Cedar Rapids

Greg Jacobs was assigned to Class-A Cedar Rapids (Iowa) this week, his second step on the road to the major leagues and his first inkling of what might lie ahead in the Angel minor league system.

A year ago, Jacobs spent a short season at Boise, Idaho, one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It is a college town with plenty of life.

His first view of Veterans Memorial Stadium, where the Cedar Rapids Kernels play, was an eye-opener.

“Uh, it looks like . . . it’s a little old,” said Jacobs, a 13th-round draft pick from Cal State Fullerton last June. “The mound is just dirt, not clay. It’s soft dirt. Well, it’s mud right now. I guess it has been raining every day.”

Jacobs, a left-handed pitcher, had hoped to be sent to Lake Elsinore of the California League--the Angels’ top Class-A team. Second-year players, though, usually go to Cedar Rapids.

“There are older players in the Cal League,” said Jeff Parker, the Angels’ director of player development. “Guys on their way back down and guys who got stuck at that level. Younger players sometimes struggle there. We want him to get in as many innings as he can and be able to compete.”

Spring training, though, didn’t end well. Jacobs was struck in the mouth by a ball. He lost one tooth and three were loosened. He said he will be able to pitch right away.