Testimonial Tuesday: Jacob Jenkins-Cowart

Date: 1/22/19
By: Eric Leary
Graduation: 2021
Position: INF
College Commitment: East Carolina University

The ability of a person to recognize what is important and stay rooted in those values is a quality that can be described as sometimes lacking when evaluating society today.  Not so with Jacob Jenkins-Cowart, a left-handed hitting first baseman, who makes it clear he rises above the messages about SELF or ME that are often associated with the youthful generation.  He is about team, community, and family, finding those players and coaches who are willing to invest and interact with him to build a strong relationship as a best fit. While talking about baseball and his preparations to take on the 2019 season the hints that he is looking for that sense of belonging were everywhere.  Jacob can definitely recognize a fit and whether it’s with his Southeast Guilford Falcons, the Dirtbags, or the ECU Pirates for whom he just recently committed, know that relationship and brotherhood are huge factors.

When asked about joining the Dirtbags prior to the 2018 summer season, Jenkins-Cowart says it was all about the opportunity to increase his exposure, saying he researched the organization and the analysis of the results told him all he needed to know.  He noted that in playing with other teams prior to being a Dirtbag the term then meant “Uh-oh” because the talent was so good he knew his team had their work cut out for them. Jacob has learned while that’s still true in respect to the talent, the term means much more now.  Today DIRTBAG means,  “A big group of brothers who like doing stuff together outside baseball.”  He recognizes this bond extends to show up throughout the organization as he has seen players and coaches at different levels come and support one another at games if at nearby venues during an event.

But before getting on the diamond with the Dirtbags in 2019, Jacob is excited about the high school season where his Falcons will look to continue being a perennial powerhouse in the NCHSAA 3A classification.  Jenkins-Cowart knows this will be a tall task due to the loss of 4-5 studs from last year’s squad and thus putting a lot of responsibility on himself and his underclassmen teammates. Fulfilling these expectations will be aided by the fact that the school  “feels like home” to the sophomore, which isn’t surprising as his mother has taught there since the mid 1990’s. He went on to say, “Just because a lot of production left doesn’t mean the program will see a downturn.”

Once the summer comes and the play shifts to the Dirtbags, Jacob says he’d like to see his team reach beyond last year’s finish.  He is looking for more consistency from himself and his teammates. And he knows this will only happen with work, saying he and several of those players in the organization are putting in the hours.  He has seen the results too, as he was 6’5”/175 pounds at end of 2018 summer and now at comes in at 6’6”/195 pounds. Jacob credited a daily investment in a structured program of lifting and running at a local training facility as the main source of the jump.  And by the way he also gets in the cage to hone that swing 2-3 times a week. His ability to hit the baseball is a quality that already separates him from many in his class. Brent Haynes, who heads up player development for the Dirtbags and had Jenkins-Cowart on his team in 2018 as he joined the organization says, “He’s a big strong kid with a 6’6” frame and has an advanced approach at the plate from the left side.”  

And more people are noticing.  Dirtbags GM Trey Daly adds, “One part of his game that really sticks out is his ‘hit-tool.’  The frame and the projection with strength is going to be a scary end result for opponents in the future.”  And that’s how Jenkins-Cowart is hoping opponents see him too, describing himself as a middle of the order hitter; a player who will produce but will also move a guy with an unselfish AB.  His willingness to do whatever the team needs with his gap to gap power makes him a difficult task for any pitcher to navigate past.

His emphasis on his strengths as a hitter brought him to talk about a favorite moment as a Dirtbag.  Since he actually loves to take that low and away pitch many of his opponents may incorrectly consider a weak spot in his swing and drive to the gap, it set him up perfect of a situation in the Fall of 2018.  Playing in Florida and down by one run in 7th with a runner at 2B, he comes to the plate after battling some injury. Jacob says he was able to stay with the pitch and drive in the run with a double to left-center.  Of the opportunity to show up for his team he said, “they put me in that position and I came through for them.” His coach Brent Haynes added, “He’s the guy you want to see walking to the plate in big situations as nothing seems to rattle him.”

Surely, a player with Jacob’s skills, feel and attitude will be positive fit to whichever team he takes the field with in 2019; spring or summer.  And a quality get for the ECU Pirates out of the 2021 class.