PEORIA, Ariz. – Seventeen months ago, Jakob Marsee was suited up in maroon and gold for the Central Michigan Chippewas in the Gainesville Regional of the NCAA Tournament. He capped his collegiate career with a four-hit performance, an emphatic exclamation point on a breakout season that earned him first-team Mid-American Conference honors and propelled him toward becoming a sixth-round Draft pick of the Padres.

Fast-forward to Saturday night, and a smiling Marsee held a plaque honoring him as the Joe Black MVP Award winner for the 2023 Arizona Fall League.

“It’s been a blessing,” said Marsee, the Padres’ No. 12 prospect. “I mean, if you would have told me this was where I’d be — I would have dreamed about this, but I never would have believed it. Just being here and being able to compete every single day with these guys, it’s a blessing.

“Honestly, without my time at Central, I don’t think I’d be doing what I’m doing right now. I pay tribute to all my friends and teammates and coaches there and everyone that’s helped me along the way.”