ProfileHt.: 5'10" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School
Miami Dade CC
Drafted in the 4th round (118th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2009 (signed for $252,000).
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Jones will be 22 by draft day, making him unusual for a junior-college player. But he has pro tools, and that combined with his polish should make him one of the country's first junior-college players selected. He spent two years at North Florida, being named to the Atlantic Sun Conference's all-freshman team as a redshirt in 2007 before being academically ineligible in 2008. Jones then transferred to Miami-Dade and was the conference player of the year as a fourth-year sophomore. His speed and defense will immediately play in pro ball; while he has 70 raw speed with 6.4-second 60 times, Jones' speed doesn't play offensively because he has more of an uppercut, power-oriented swing. He's athletic and has infield actions. Scouts are mixed on whether his average throwing arm will be enough for shortstop, and some question his range as well. He has enough strength and bat speed to hit for average as a pro, even if he doesn't maintain the power he has flashed with metal bats (he hit .447 with 13 homers this spring). Most scouts conservatively see Jones as a future utility infielder with possible Chone Figgins upside, but he could wind up an everyday shortstop. Teams that see him that way could take him as high as the fourth round.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
Jones has experienced a roller-coaster ride since the end of the 2010 season. A shortstop in his first two years as a pro, he moved to second base in instructional league and then to center field in spring training. He missed the first month of the 2011 season with a foot injury and was arrested for driving under the influence a week after he returned to action, which led to a 10-day suspension. His batting average sank to .212 on July 11 before he rebounded to hit .289 the rest of the way. At his best, Jones gets on base by working the count and driving the ball from pole to pole. He possesses a quick swing with some pop, but he can try to do too much at times instead of employing his plus speed to his greatest advantage. He's raw as a basestealer, too. Jones has become a more disciplined hitter since he signed and has a better understanding of the strike zone, though he still swings and misses too much. He looked comfortable in center field by the end of the season, showing above-average range and arm strength. Jones has displayed considerable promise but has yet to put together an impressive showing from start to finish in any of his three pro seasons. He'll try to do so this year, when he could get his first taste of Triple-A.
Jones started his college career with two years at North Florida before transferring to Miami-Dade CC, so he's older than the average junior college draft pick. He's making up for lost time, however, turning in a solid pro debut in 2009 and playing at three levels last season. He got off to a .125/.157/.188 start at Rome last April, because he had an uppercut that slowed his bat and made his swing long. He didn't hang his head, corrected the flaw and rebounded to hit .352/.398/.523 in May, leading to a promotion to Myrtle Beach in June and a lateseason callup to Mississippi. Jones has some power and ranked fifth in the system with 15 homers last year, but he's much more effective when spraying line drives from pole to pole. He needs to tighten his strike zone and adopt a more disciplined approach so he can get on base and take advantage of his plus speed. A shortstop in his first two pro seasons, Jones moved to second base during instructional league and looked much more comfortable there. He has impressive quick-twitch athleticism and actions in the middle of the infield, giving him above-average range. His arm, which was fringy for shortstop, also plays much better at the keystone sack. Jones has plus makeup and a strong desire to succeed. He'll open 2011 as the starting second baseman at Mississippi.
Jones wasted no time making a name for himself after signing for $252,000 as a fourth-round pick last June. He went 3-for-6 with four RBIs in his first pro game, then helped turn a triple play in Danville's home opener. Undrafted out of high school, he attended North Florida for two years before transferring to Miami Dade CC, making him old for a juco draftee at age 22. Jones' best tool is his plus-plus speed, which he used to steal 19 bases in 23 attempts and lead the Appalachian League in runs (50) and triples (six). He tends to uppercut the ball and his swing can get long, which limited him to a .258 average in his pro debut. He flashed some power with metal bats in college, but the Braves believe he'll be better off with more of a line-drive approach that uses his speed to his greatest advantage. Jones has the quick-twitch athleticism and actions to excel on defense. He has good range and hands and an average arm, though his maximum-effort throws scare some scouts. Jones could move rapidly in a system that's not deep with shortstop talent. He'll open 2010 in low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
Jones' unconventional path to pro ball meant that he debuted as a 22-year-old despite being drafted out of junior college. After two years at North Florida (one a redshirt) and a third spent academically ineligible, Jones transferred to Miami Dade CC for the 2009 season. Batting second and playing every day for a strong Danville club enabled Jones to lead the league with 50 runs scored. A 70 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale, he stole 19 bases in 23 attempts and tied for the league high with six triples. He also showed enough gap power to crack 28 extra-base hits, third-best in the league. Though not overly physical (he's listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds), Jones is a quick natural athlete and polished defender with solid range and hands. His arm rates as average for the position, even with a max-effort throwing motion. A righthanded batter, Jones hit just .258 in his debut, doing little to assuage those who question how much he'll hit with wood. He exudes confidence and has a strong knowledge of the strike zone, which could lead to higher averages as he makes better contact. Those who like Jones see his ceiling as a top-of-the-order hitter who could fit at shortstop or second base.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Athlete in the Atlanta Braves in 2010
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