NESN

Red Sox Prospect Brandon Jacobs Preparing for Spring Training After Offseason of Travel, Yoga

Brandon Jacobs had a chance to shine on the gridiron. A standout running back at Parkview (Ga.) High School, Jacobs pledged to Auburn and could have suited alongside quarterback Cam Newton.

Instead, he traded college football for pro baseball. Slowly but surely, the Red Sox’s 10th-round pick in the 2009 draft is validating that decision, especially after blasting 17 homers and collecting 80 RBIs last year for Single-A Greenville.

Earlier this month at a Jimmy Fund event, the 21-year-old outfielder shared his thoughts with NESN.com on the upcoming season.

NESN.com: How does it feel to know spring training is rolling around pretty soon?

Brandon Jacobs: [My] emotions right now are getting pretty good. Just getting back into the swing of things and just got back into hitting and swinging again. [I'm] excited, especially with the fact that we’re all going to be in the same facility this year. I definitely plan to learn a lot from guys like [Jarrod] Saltalamacchia and [Ryan] Kalish. I never really been affiliated with them in the same spring training, so I plan to learn a lot of stuff from them.

NESN.com: How’d you spend your offseason?

BJ: This year, I went on some family trips with a lot of down time. Did a lot of yoga and a lot of working out. It's that time to wind up and get ready again.

NESN.com: Have you had a chance to see the new facility yet?

Jacobs: I've just seen overall pictures drawn up, but I heard it's definitely going to be one of the nicest spring training facilities. I'm excited about that. I'm going down there pretty early, actually, to get situated, get used to that weather and get used to getting up early. I want to check out the new facility.

NESN.com: What are your established goals heading into this season?

BJ: I don't have any goals right now, I'm still in the process of [setting those]. I had a pretty good season last year and I just want to continue to have the right mindset and mentality throughout the whole season. Whatever happens, happens and it's outside of my control. I'll put a lot of preparation in the offseason and just let it play out.

Photo via Flickr/tjperr

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