BA GRADE
55
Risk: V. High
HIT: 55.
POW: 60.
SPD: 50.
FLD: 50.
ARM: 60.
Born: May 7, 1998. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Bensalem, Pa., 2016 (2nd round). Signed by: Mike Kanen.
Jones was regarded as one of the best prep hitters in the 2016 draft class, but he slipped to the second round, where the Indians were happy to take him at No. 55 overall. After a very modest debut in the rookie-level Arizona League in 2016, Jones got back to his elite hitting ways in 2017 with short-season Mahoning Valley, where he led the New York-Penn League in OPS (.912) as a 19-year-old.
Jones has an easy lefthanded swing and uses the whole field to hit. He is a patient hitter and led the NYPL in walks (43). He significantly cut down on his strikeout rate from his pro debut in 2016, but his patience means he works in many deep counts and will always strike out a fair amount as a result. He has proven to be an advanced hitter, but also has above-average raw power that he is still learning to get to consistently in games. As he physically matures, he projects to hit for plus power. Jones fits the third base profile, but he still has work to do to ensure he can stick at the hot corner. He has plus arm strength, but needs to improve his glove-work and infield actions. If he did need to move, his athleticism and average speed would play in right field.
Jones’ first full professional season was very encouraging for the Indians and he provides plenty of upside. He’ll get his first taste of full-season ball in 2018 when he opens the year with low Class A Lake County.
Year |
Club (League) |
Class |
AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2016 |
Indians (AZL) |
R |
.257 |
32 |
109 |
10 |
28 |
2017 |
Mahoning Valley (NYP) |
SS |
.317 |
62 |
218 |
41 |
69 |
Minor League Totals |
.297 |
94 |
327 |
51 |
97 |
||
Year |
Club (League) |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
2016 |
Indians (AZL) |
5 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
23 |
2017 |
Mahoning Valley (NYP) |
18 |
3 |
4 |
33 |
43 |
Minor League Totals |
23 |
5 |
4 |
42 |
66 |
|
Year |
Club (League) |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
2016 |
Indians (AZL) |
49 |
3 |
1 |
.388 |
.339 |
2017 |
Mahoning Valley (NYP) |
60 |
1 |
0 |
.430 |
.482 |
Minor League Totals |
109 |
4 |
1 |
.416 |
.434 |
|