Nolan Jones Stats & Scouting Report College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Publish date: 2024-04-26
TRACK RECORD: Jones was one of the players the Indians targeted with their first-round pick in 2016. The team instead selected Will Benson 14th overall and didn’t expect to see Jones on the board when they next picked at No. 55. They didn’t pass on Jones, one of the top prep hitters in his class, a second time. In 2017, he led the New York-Penn League in OPS (.912) as a 19-year old and has followed that up in full-season ball. He had a busy 2019, beginning the year with high Class A Lynchburg, where he played well enough in 79 games to be selected to the Carolina League all-star team. He also was selected for the Futures Game and the Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars Game, and in July was promoted to Double-A Akron. His season came to an end in October when he re-aggravated an injury to his right thumb and had surgery to repair a ligament.

SCOUTING REPORT: Jones has an easy lefthanded swing and uses the whole field to hit. He is a patient hitter and has led all Indians’ minor leaguers in walks in back-to-back seasons (89 in 2018, 96 in 2019), though his patience also means that he often works in deep counts and will always strike out fairly often as a result. He has plus raw power and has started to turn that into in-game production. Jones fits the third-base profile but throughout his career has dealt with questions about his ability to stay at the position. He has plus arm strength and has worked hard to improve his defense and infield actions, especially when ranging to the right. He’s improved his footwork and agility, giving him a strong chance to stay at the hot corner. While the Indians generally work to add versatility to all their position players, Jones has played exclusively third base since he was in Rookie ball. Still, his athleticism and speed should play in the outfield if required.

THE FUTURE: After his impressive 2019 and stint in the AFL, Jones is nearing the big leagues and will likely open 2020 at Triple-A Columbus. He’s a potential impact bat who also stands out for his work ethic. His impending big league debut and Jose Ramirez’s versatility gives the Indians options over the next couple of years, but even if Ramirez stays in the hot corner, Jones’ offensive ability is such that the team will find a way to get them both into the lineup. Year Player, Pos. 2019 Org 2009 Carlos Santana, C Indians 2010 Carlos Santana, C Indians 2011 Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B Pirates 2012 Francisco Lindor, SS Indians 2013 Francisco Lindor, SS Indians 2014 Francisco Lindor, SS Indians 2015 Francisco Lindor, SS Indians 2016 Bradley Zimmer, OF Indians 2017 Francisco Mejia, C Padres 2018 Francisco Mejia, C Padres 2019 Triston McKenzie, RHP Indians Best Hitter for Average Tyler Freeman Best Power Hitter Bobby Bradley Best Strike-Zone Discipline Ernie Clement Fastest Baserunner Quentin Holmes Best Athlete Will Benson Best Fastball Daniel Espino Best Curveball James Karinchak Best Slider Kyle Nelson Best Changeup Eli Morgan Best Control Eli Morgan Best Defensive Catcher Bo Naylor Best Defensive Infielder Brayan Rocchio Best Infield Arm Nolan Jones Best Defensive Outfielder Steven Kwan Best Outfield Arm Johnathan Rodriguez SCOUTING GRADES Hit: 60. Power: 60. Run: 50. Field: 50. Arm: 60. BA GRADE 60 Risk: High

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