Beau Jones Stats & Scouting Report

IP	541
ERA	4.259
WHIP	1.477
BB/9	4.974
SO/9	8.917

Full name Beau Mathew Jones
Born 08/25/1986 in Metairie, LA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Destrehan
Drafted in the C-1 round (41st overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2005 (signed for $825,000).

View Draft Report

Jones capped a banner senior season with two gems in the state 5-A playoffs. First he no-hit traditional power Barbe High in the regional round. Then he outdueled the state's top prep lefty, Captain Shreve's Sean West, with a 15-strikeout shutout in the quarterfinals, pitching around a 142-minute rain delay and throwing 120 pitches in the process. Of the state's quality high school southpaws, Jones is the least projectable but has the best breaking ball with his nifty curveball. He also works in the 90s and has touched 94 mph with his fastball. Jones already is physically mature, but his stuff will be plenty good as it is. Scouts are more concerned with his laid-back nature, though that figures to make him more signable and less apt to follow through on his commitment to Louisiana State.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Braves considered taking Jones with their first pick in 2005 and were delighted to get him 14 selections later. After a strong debut, though, his control regressed in his first full season, and he wore down late in the year, allowing 32 earned runs in his final 32 innings. The good news was that his stuff remained promising. Jones has a low-90s fastball that reaches 95 and has nice movement. His curveball shows signs of becoming an out pitch with high-70s velocity and hard, sharp break. His changeup remains in the developmental stages, and he lacks confidence in it. He has an easy delivery and a determined approach that attracts comparisons to Kyle Davies. Jones has a lot of work to do, as he must make major strides with his control, command and changeup while becoming more consistent with his fastball and curve. Those will be his goals this year in high Class A.
Louisiana produced one of its best crops of pitchers ever in 2005, and Jones, who threw a no-hitter in the state playoffs, was the first to go in the draft at No. 41 overall. If Devine had been gone at No. 27, the Braves would have made Jones their first-round pick. He signed for $825,000 and had a solid debut. Jones has a live arm that produces 88-95 mph fastballs with good movement. His curveball is an out pitch in the making, featuring hard downward movement and high-70s velocity. He has a clean delivery and arm action, and he creates excellent deception with all of his pitches. The Braves also love his gritty, determined approach that reminds them of Kyle Davies'. Jones needs to become more consistent with his curve and his command. He also must add more depth and fade to his changeup. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, he's not very projectable, but he already has good stuff and a high ceiling. The Braves will be patient in their development of Jones. He should pitch in the low Class A rotation in 2006.

Minor League Top Prospects

Louisiana's draft crop was loaded with quality lefthanders, and Jones was the first to go, 41st overall to the Braves. A true power lefty with a moving fastball consistently in the 92-94 mph range, Jones has the ability to spot the pitch anywhere in the strike zone. His curveball is also a plus offering but erratic, and he continues to develop a changeup. Jones has solid mechanics and yet gets good deception on his pitches. His biggest strength, though, may be his fearless nature on the mound.