Is Jared Jones Already Living Up to the Hype?
Coming out of the offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates would have a competition within their starting rotation, with two spots up for grabs. Among the starters vying for one of those spots in spring training was Jared Jones.
Jones entered 2024 as the third best prospect in the Pirates’ organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
Not only did Jones dominate hitters during Grapefruit League play, but he was Pittsburgh’s best starter, as he threw 16.1 innings, allowing three runs, all unearned, and posting a WHIP of 0.94.
As it turned out, Pirates’ management made the pleasantly surprising decision to place Jones on the team’s Opening Day roster, which marked the first time a Pirates starting pitching opened up a season on an MLB roster, without any service time, since Kris Benson in 1999.
On March 30th, Jones would make his official MLB debut against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. The 22-year-old righty went 5.2 innings, while giving up three runs. However, he issued just two walks, and struck out 10 - becoming the first Pirates rookie pitcher to record 10 strikeouts in a debut since Tim Wakefield did it in 1992.
Jones would get the nod to pitch in the Pirates’ home opener on April 5th. Facing a tough, Baltimore Orioles’ lineup, Jones held his own by going six innings, allowing a pair of runs, walking none, and striking out seven.
The third start for Jones came on Thursday versus the Phillies’ lineup. Although Jones gave up three earned in 6.1 innings pitched, he didn’t walk a batter, and put up eight strikeouts.
Through his first three starts, here are where Jones’ metrics look to this point:
The power fastball has been on full display for Jones, averaging the heater right at 97. He’s been inducing plenty of swing & miss, as well as chase. As for the whiff rate, Jones is registering a ridiculous, 48.4% with his slider.
For Jones, it’s been pretty much a two-pitch approach, throwing the fastball at 45.7% and the slider at 41.7%. His curveball and changeup have only been used sparingly at 8.7% and 3.9% respectively.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the velocity shown by Jones, the ability to command the fastball and slider is really strong, in the very early stages of his big league career.
So this begs the question - Is Jones already living up to the hype of his upside?
Through his first three starts, Jones’ ERA sits at 4.00, but with a 2.38 xFIP. In 18 innings, he’s struck out 25 (12.5 K/9) and walked only two (1.0 BB/9). Among NL starters, Jones currently has the eighth lowest WHIP at 0.94.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Jones is how he’s been able to keep his emotions in check, especially being only 22. Jones has made no bones about the fact that he considers himself an extreme competitor on the mound.
Obviously, I’m not prepared to deem Jones as a perennial, All-Star pitcher based on just a few starts. But that being said, I do think he’s definitely been as advertised. How high Jones’ ceiling could be with the Pirates will be fun to witness.