Devin Jones
| IP | 238 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.37 |
| WHIP | 1.508 |
| BB/9 | 3.176 |
| SO/9 | 7.563 |
- Full name Devin B. Jones
- Born 07/04/1990 in Starksville, MS
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Mississippi State
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Drafted in the 9th round (275th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2011 (signed for $97,500).
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Righthander Devin Jones was Mississippi State's top prospect and entered the season with a chance to go in the first four to five rounds, but he wasn't able to hold down a spot in an injury-depleted Bulldogs rotation and missed time with a bout of food poisoning. He still has big stuff, with a live arm, pro body at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, and a fastball that hits 95 mph in relief. He also has a power slider that has scraped 86 mph. Veteran scouts aren't enamored with Jones' lack of consistency, but his raw stuff could still make him a single-digit selection.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Used mostly as a reliever at Mississippi State, Jones stayed in the bullpen at the outset of his pro career after signing for $97,500 as a ninth-rounder in 2011. Shifted into the rotation following a promotion to high Class A last July, he responded by going 7-1, 2.80, albeit with a greatly reduced strikeout rate (4.8 per nine innings). When he starts, Jones' fastball sits at 90-94 mph with sinking action that generates a lot of groundouts. As a reliever, he can reach 96 mph. His second pitch is an 82-84 mph slider that's a solid offering at times, though he doesn't always command it well. He has worked with the Orioles' player-development staff to add a changeup, which will go a long way toward determining his future role. Jones' sound delivery allows him to work downhill and live in the bottom of the strike zone. His competitiveness and aptitude also draw praise. He reminds some scouts of former Baltimore reliever Rick Bauer, though the club hopes Jones can become a No. 3 or 4 starter. He'll open 2013 in Double-A.
