Get to know D-backs' Druw Jones
Manny Randhawa
@MannyOnMLBDruw Jones has a great baseball lineage. The slender but powerful outfielder was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, and he is ranked the D-backs' No. 3 prospect (No. 15 overall) heading into the 2023 season.
But who is?Druw Jones? Here's a guide to let you know what heĄŻs all about.
FAST FACTS
Primary position: CF
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 180 lbs.
Bats/throws: Right/right
Birthdate: Nov. 28, 2003 (Age 19 in 2023)
College: N/A
High school: Wesleyan High School (Ga.)
Born: Atlanta, Ga.
Drafted: 2nd overall, 2022 (by ARZ)
ETA: 2026
He's the son of one of the greatest center fielders in Major League history
Andruw Jones was a five-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner in center field and slugged 434 home runs over a 17-year Major League career from 1996-2012. He is most remembered for his time with the Braves, and in 1996, he became the youngest player to hit a World Series home run, going deep twice in Game 1 vs. the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Pretty decent genes for young Druw, who looks to follow in his father's footsteps.
He's already silenced some doubters
What do you do when someone's yelling "overrated!" from the stands? How about crush a home run? That's exactly what Jones did, smashing a shot over the wall in dead-center field against Georgia State commit Brady Jones last March.
That should do the trick.
He put up mind-boggling high school numbers
Jones decided in May of his Draft year to post his stats on Twitter "for the culture." And when you have a look at them, let's just say you might be collecting your jaw from off the ground. Jones went on to lead his Wesleyan High School team to the Georgia state championship and was named Georgia's Gatorade Player of the Year.
He was the best prep prospect since Bryce Harper?
According to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, the answer is "yes." That's high praise given what the 7-time All-Star and 2-time National League MVP Harper has done in his career.
He plays a great center field like his dad, but he could also play ... short?
According to MLB Pipeline, scouts who saw Jones take infield in high school think he could play a solid shortstop in addition to his regular position of center field. He has a long way to go to catch his dad, who owns 10 Gold Glove Awards, but given his five-tool ability, you can't say he doesn't have a shot.
He's so good in center field that when you get robbed of a homer by him, you tweet about it
At least that was the case for Dylan Radaszewski, who had the "honor" of being robbed of a home run last April by none other than Jones.
He's healthy again
Jones is yet to make his pro debut, after suffering a torn left posterior labrum during a workout just three days after signing with the D-backs. But he's expected to be ready for action when the Minor League season begins. Jones played in the D-backs' spring finale and is expected to open 2023 at Single-A Visalia.