Thoughts on Brandon Jones

by John Sickels on Sep 6, 2007 12:04 PM EDT in News

Here is what I wrote in the book about Brandon Jones.

Jones had the breakthrough season, hitting .293/.368/.507 in 94 games for Double-A Mississippi, then .300/.363/.453 in 44 games for Triple-A Richmond. His combined numbers were .295/.367/.490, 33 doubles, 19 homers, 100 RBI, 61 walks, 17 steals, 120 strikeouts in 535 at-bats.

Jones is heading to the Arizona Fall League, and a good performance there would cap off the season quite nicely. I'm not exactly sure how he fits into Atlanta's plans, but I'm impressed with the progress he has made. The strikeout rate is still a bit higher than ideal, but he kept it to less than one per game in Triple-A. Batting average and OBP may be a problem during an initial major league adjustment phase, which is why I think another 50-100 games of Triple-A would be a good idea, to put the finishing touches on.

Grade-wise, right now I'd say he's on the border between Grade B and B+. What do you guys think?

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Thanks John...

Hope your father in law is getting better. Best to all of you.

On to Brandon Jones... I saw him for a couple of games this summer at the AA level. Physically, I question the 6 1 listing. I'm a hair short of the same, and I towered over him, even in his cleets. He came over and signed autographs for a bunch of us, so I was field level with him.

He has plenty of room to fill out. The current size comp for him is Colby Rasmus, guys that could add 15-20 pounds to their frame without crossing the bulked up line.

My notes from the games say he struck out twice, but each were honest strikeouts, he didn't get fooled or chase anything silly. One he didn't catch up to a fastball and the second was a hell of slider that broke at the last minute.

The other ABs, he hit a couple of singles and a double. The other outs were two fly outs, and a hard hit ball at the SS.

He took an extra base on a lazy play by the OFer, so I did see some of the speed and baseball sense.

I look for some of the doubles to go into the homerun column next year, if he stays at AAA.

My question is the assignment to the fall league. To me, there are three main categories of guys that get send to Arizona. 1) Guys that they are trying to skip a level, 2) Guys that missed major time because of injury. and 3) Guys that need to learn a new skill or polish a skill.

The subparts of 1 are guys that are too old for the league they just finished and guys they are looking to get ready for the bigs. I think Ryan Braun is last year's model on that category.

Trying to place Jones in one of these, I cannot help but think that the Braves are looking to put Jones in the Bigs next year. Either at the break of camp or in mid-season.

by Brock20 on Sep 6, 2007 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

I would be a little suprised, if Jones doesn't stink up the AFL, if he doesn't go into ST competing for the platoon spot opposite Diaz in LF.

by abravesfan on Sep 6, 2007 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

This is where I see him

I think the Braves will bring in a cheap CF, probably a guy without much of a bat (heck maybe just hold on to Willie Harris) next year, leave Frenchy in Right and have Diaz and Jones platoon in left. If Jones excels, look for him (or Diaz, not sure which) to get some starts in Right with Frenchy in Center. Schafer is the long-term answer in CF.

But regardless of who plays where, I'd be surprised to not see Jones in Atlanta.

by mraver on Sep 6, 2007 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

no willie

for some reason Bobby doesn't realize that Harris just isn't more than a .250 hitter at best but there is absolutely no way he will be starting in center field next year.

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by was385 on Sep 6, 2007 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

.366

309 Abs with a .366OBP. Willie has helped them. get off his case.

by casejud on Sep 6, 2007 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

haha

career .251 hitter, .236 after the all-star break, just broke out of an 0-22 slump, .241 in July, .213 in August, and .077 in his last ten games. Can you say fluke? No doubt he did help us earlier this year but there is absolutely no reason he should be starting right now whatsoever. He can't hit and he can't even steal bases any more for some reason. The only thing he should be is a pinch hitter and late inning defensive replacement.

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by was385 on Sep 6, 2007 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

re

.251 in very limited ABs. his only other fulltime season (2004) he put up a solid ob%. I agree with the guy above, get off his case. No one claimed he's a star, but there has been times he has single handedly kept the Braves afloat this year

by ScottAZ on Sep 6, 2007 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Limited?

That is over 1200 career at bats including this fluke season. I never said he wasn't a useful player. He is a fine fourth outfielder but having him start is an absolute joke. He is not capable of starting at all.

And by the way, he never kept the Braves afloat because there is this guy he is platooning with who is hitting .350 with an OPS right around .900 who should be starting full time and can hit righties and mash lefties.

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by was385 on Sep 6, 2007 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

re

Yeah, kept afloat. The dude hit .380 for the months of May and June, played sparkling defense, and created runs with daring baserunning. He was the sparkplug for the team for a good part of the season.

I agree that Harris has been overplayed of late. You ride players like him until they start going cold, then make an adjustment. Diaz should be getting more ABs now, but Diaz would be overmatched if he played fulltime too, both players are better suited for platoon roles.

Harris has had one year in which he accumnlated over 400, and had a ob% of .343. Other than that he's never had a year in which he had more than 160 abs until now. The only two times he has gotten a prolonged look he's had an ob% of around .355. Guys like that you keep around, as they are very useful utility guys, especially when you consider he can play 2b, lf, cf, and 3b

by ScottAZ on Sep 6, 2007 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

leftfield

he fits perfectly into left for the braves as they have no obvious option to play there. i agree that diaz will be his platoon partner for a year or two until he is ready to take over full time.

by fewgoodcards on Sep 6, 2007 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Rasmus is taller than Jones

Jones is probably 5'11-6'0 while Rasmus is 6'2 6'3 already.

by Bravesin07 on Sep 6, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Two things...

First, the Rasmus comp was frame not height.

Second, I call BS. The Cards just add more inches, they are within an inch of each other.

If anyone has seen Jim Edmonds in person, they can attest to the extra height paddding the Cards list players at. Only the WWF, now the WWE, adds so many inches to their player heights.

by Brock20 on Sep 7, 2007 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Trade?

Would the Braves trade Jones and Lilibridge for Noah Lowry and Randy Messenger?

by DrBGiantsfan on Sep 6, 2007 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Caveat Emptor

Would you want Jones and Lillibridge if the Braves were willing to trade them?

by cooper7d7 on Sep 6, 2007 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Needs

The Giants really need a young SS who can hit. Lillibridge isn't the next ARod or Cal Ripkin, or even Reid Brignac, but he seems to a decent option. The Giants don't have as big a need in the OF, but Jones looks like he may have more upside than any of the Giants OF prospects. The ideal return for Lowry would be a young SS and a power hitting 1B, but I'm not sure there are any teams that have a surplus of both to be trade partners.

by DrBGiantsfan on Sep 6, 2007 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol are you still mad about Sanchez for Gomez

I'd take Lowry though, the Braves need him. How about Lillibridge and Hanson.

by Bravesin07 on Sep 6, 2007 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Lillibridge and Hanson

I don't know too much about Hanson except looking at his numbers. From his age, size and stats, I would deduce that he is a pretty good pitching prospect. That actually might be a better deal for the Giants than Lillibridge and Jones since you can never have too much pitching. Short answer, yes, I would trade Lowry for Lillibridge and Hanson.

No to Thorman.

I'm liking Sanchez better these days. I might still do a Sanchez for Gomez trade, but again, OF is not the Giants most pressing need, by far.

by DrBGiantsfan on Sep 6, 2007 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Hanson

mid-90's easy heat with some movement, improving changeup, and hammer curve (his strikeout pitch).

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by was385 on Sep 6, 2007 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

"Power Hitting 1B"

Scotty Thorman?

by cooper7d7 on Sep 6, 2007 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

they probably want one

who can make contact. Thorman is miserable and you can see why by watching his swing. It is just painful to watch. One of the worst in baseball. He isn't ever going to hit enough to be a starter.

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by was385 on Sep 6, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Defense

I've heard alot about Jones' offensive potential. How would you rate his defence? Is he a left fielder or center fielder in the majors?

by Rakosi on Sep 6, 2007 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

corner

He doesn't have the range for center so he is going to be a corner outfielder. His arm is very good for left field and good enough for right field. I wouldn't be shocked to see him starting in right next year if the Braves move Francoeur to center.

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by was385 on Sep 6, 2007 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions