Meet a Prospect: Garrett Jones

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 14^th 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.