7. JaCoby Jones, OF
Birthdate: 5/10/92 (24 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAA, MLB
Stats in 2016: .257/.327/.407, 7 HR, 13 SB (minor league stats only)
Jones was the acquisition for Joakim Soria last summer, and the former 2013 3rd round selection was allowed to showcase his extreme athleticism.
Jones was a big time player from Louisiana State University that many considered the best athlete in his draft class, but he’s had a load of bumps along the way, including a suspension in 2015 for a “drug of abuse”.
(Jones has) found his way all the way to the majors…due to his impressive athleticism
His bumps along the way have really delayed his ability to put his raw tools into polished skills, but he’s found his way all the way to the majors in spite of that, due to his impressive athleticism.
Jones currently works best in projection as a super-utility type, the kind of player who could handle playing center or second base, or even fill in at shortstop every ten days just to keep everyone fresh, getting 400-500 plate appearances across a number of positions.
His defensive flexibility may give the Tigers the boldness to make a move to trade someone like Ian Kinsler or to leave center field up to Jones and Anthony Gose for 2017.
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