Continuing our offseason coverage, The Baltimore Battery returns with our annual Prospect Profiles series, now highlighting the Orioles’ Top-30 prospects for the 2021 season!
Next up at No. 18 is 23-year-old second baseman Jahmai Jones. The right-handed hitting Jones came to the Orioles on February 2, 2021, in a trade that sent pitcher Alex Cobb to the Angels.
HITTING GRADES: Hit 50 Run 60 Field 50 Power 45 Arm 50 Overall 50
Jones was drafted in the second round (70th overall) by the Angels in the 2015 draft out of Wesleyan School (high school) in Norcross, GA. Athleticism runs in the Jones family, as Jahmai’s father, Andre, was a wide receiver at Notre Dame, his older brother ,TJ, was selected in the NFL Draft’s 6th round in 2014, and another brother, Malachi, plays in the Canadian Football League.
The athletic skills did not miss Jahmai. Coming out of high school, Jones ran a 6.6 60-yard dash; astonishing, given his 6’0, 210 pound frame.
Jones had an up and down career in the Angels minor league system, finding himself ranked the 89th overall MLB prospect at the end of the 2017 season and winning the Angels’ Minor League Player of the Year Award after the 2018 season. After spending 2017 and 2018 in Single-A, 2019 proved to be more difficult, as he hit only .234 in Double-A.
Despite never playing at the Triple-A level, Jones made his major league debut last season, going 3-for-7 with two strikeouts, while playing in three games at second base and serving as a pinch runner. Thus far this spring, Jones is 3-for-19 with a home run and seven strikeouts.
At the time of the trade with the Orioles, Jones was ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in the Angels’ farm system. To see him ranked at 18 for us is a testament to the Orioles’ improved minor league system.
Thus far during his professional career, Jones has been a case of great potential that has not necessarily played out on the field. The Orioles are hoping that he can put it all together and produce immediately for the major league club. Jones can play second base and outfield, and he can serve as an effective pinch runner.
What do you think of Baltimore’s No. 18 overall prospect? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to keep up with The Baltimore Battery for the next Prospect Profiles article! Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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