Pittsburgh Pirates: Jared Jones Assigned to Bradenton

The Pittsburgh Pirates have assigned 2020 draft pick Jared Jones to Low-A Bradenton, where he will begin his professional baseball career.

After the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Jared Jones in the 2020 Draft in the second round, they signed him to a deal that was $500,000 above slot.  He was a high school pitcher from La Miranda High School in California, and given where the Pirates drafted him compared to where he ranked (FanGraphs 91st and MLB Pipeline 54th), the Pittsburgh Pirates are expecting big things from the athletic pitcher.

After starting the season in extended spring training, Jones has been assigned to Low-A Bradenton, where he will begin his professional baseball career.  What sticks out on paper about Jones is the fastball.  When doing our prospect previews, contributor Noah Wright pointed out that,

"“His fastball has already been clocked in the upper-90s and has even touched 99 MPH before his 20th birthday. He also has the stamina to keep his velo up throughout games and averages out in the 93-97 MPH range. His four-seamer is already seen as a 60-grade offering by both FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline.”"

Jones already touching 99 is impressive given his age.  He also features a slider that received a 60 future value from FanGraphs and a curveball that received a 55.  This gives him the chance to have two plus pitches and a borderline third, with the changeup projecting as 50 by FanGraphs as well.  The one issue could be command, with the site giving him a 35 future and as a result a bullpen grade.

The Pittsburgh Pirates think highly of Jones given they drafted him in the second round and signed him for above slot.  He features a plus fastball and slider with the chance of average to above curveball and changeup.  The biggest question is command and as he begins his career in Bradenton, that will be something to follow.