L.J. Jones

Jones was part of a loaded Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.) High team that included future draft picks Ben Ramirez and Casey Schmitt and won a CIF-San Diego Section title. He led Long Beach State in hitting (.312) as a freshman but missed all but two games of his sophomore season after he suffered a broken hand on a hit-by-pitch. Jones returned this spring and got off to a scorching start through 14 games before the season shut down. Jones is a thick, chiseled power hitter who rarely strikes out, endearing him to analytically-inclined teams. He flashes above-average power at his best and has gotten to it in games against good pitching. He walks a decent amount and gets the bat to the ball, though most evaluators think he’ll top out as a fringe-average hitter. Jones is fairly one dimensional with his power. He is a fringe-average defender at first base who is physically maxed out, and his lack of range makes him a liability in the corner outfield. Jones fits as a potential DH in many teams’ eyes. He is older for his class and will likely sign if the opportunity presents itself.