School: Wesleyan; Class: Senior
Position: OF; B/T: R/R
Height: 6-4; Weight: 180
Previously Drafted: N/A
College Commitment: Vanderbilt University
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 50/60 | 70 | 50 | 70 | 70 |
Background: The legend of Druw Jones does not begin with Druw, nor does it begin with his 10-time Gold Glove winning father Andruw either. No. The legend begins on the island of Curacao with Henry Jones – Druw’s grandfather. According to an article by Jennifer Frey in The Washington Post in October 1996, the elder Jones, a gifted center fielder, is still bantered about in baseball circles. And according to legend, or at least a 2002 article in ESPN the Magazine, Henry fractured his foot from an acrobatic catch on the outfield wall and was told that he would miss six weeks.
He was standing back in center field, the land of Joneses, less than two weeks later.
Like Mutt Mantle did to Mickey, Henry molded Andruw into a dynamic, generation talent. One so gifted in the outfield that he would eventually become the greatest defensive center fielder in history en route to winning those 10 Gold Gloves. Signed by the Braves for a paltry $46,000 in early July in 1996, Andruw would become just the second Curacaoan to sign with a big league franchise. The first, of course, was “Bam Bam” Hensley Meulens.
Henry, by the way, would line up next Andruw during his tryout with the Braves, losing to the speedy youngster by just a couple steps.
Enter: Druw Jones, the next in line to don the family crown as a generational center fielder. The youngest Jones, by the way, captured the Perfect Game National Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021.
A product of Georgia-based Wesleyan High School, Druw slugged a scorching .570/.675/1.026 during his final amateur season, belting out seven doubles, three triples, and 13 homeruns. He also knocked in 39 RBIs and swiped 32 stolen bases. He also went 10-1 on the mound as well. Jones is commit to Vanderbilt University.
Scouting Report: Tremendously gifted with the work ethic to match. He’s a genuine five-tool player, much like his father was during his 10-year prime. The sound off of the younger Jones’ bat is like an explosion. He rocketed a ball to the opposite field (right field) during the Georgia State Championship game that posted an exit velocity of 106 mph. Simple, low maintenance swing. Plus power potential generated with natural loft and tremendous bat speed. Above-average hit tool. Above-average arm that’s aided by a quick release from center field. Like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jones will forever be compared to his father. The young center fielder doesn’t possess the sheer power of his old man, but he’s more fleet of foot.
Ceiling: 6.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
Grade: First Round
