Garrett Jones was acquired along with Nathan Eovaldi and
prospect Domingo German from the Miami Marlins in the deal that sent Martin
Prado and David Phelps to Miami. Garrett has spent time with the Minnesota
Twins, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Marlins before coming to New York so
let’s take the time to meet Mr. Garrett Thomas Jones.
Jones was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th
round of the 1999 MLB First Year Players Draft out of High School and played in
the Braves system through April of 2002 before being released in May of that
year. Jones almost immediately latched on with the Minnesota Twins and stayed
in their system through the 2008 season. Jones did have a cup of coffee in the
major leagues appearing in 31 games with the Twins in 2007 and making his major
league debut on May 15, 2007 but the Twins were not impressed enough. Jones
became a free agent after the 2008 season and signed on with the Pittsburgh
Pirates early in the offseason and earned an invitation to Spring Training.
Although he did not win a job out of camp he stuck it out with the team and
finally got that chance on June 30, 2009 when his contract was finally purchased
by Pittsburgh.
Jones was called up to replace the recently traded Eric
Hinske on the Pirates roster in 2009 and 18 days later hit his first major
league home run off Tim Lincecum. He wouldn’t wait around long for his second
as it came later in the game to end a 14 inning affair between the Giants and
the Pirates. Jones hit 10 home runs in his first month and was named the
Nationa l League’ Rookie of the Month for July 2009. Jones power bat continued
to impress on Opening Day 2010 against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he became
just the sixth Pirates player to hit two home runs on Opening Day. Jones took
the momentum he created on Opening Day 2010 to push towards a 21 home run, 86 RBI
and 145 hit season slashing .247/.306/.414 in 592 at bats. It was all downhill
from there leading up to being designated for assignment by the Pirates on
November 25, 2013.
Jones latched on with Miami for the 2014 season after
signing a two year deal worth $7.5 million and will spend the 2015 season, his
final season of that contract, in pinstripes in New York. Good luck Garrett and
welcome to the family.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)