Pirates convince 2nd-round pick Jared Jones to skip scholarship to Texas and sign to go pro

Nine years ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates took a University of Texas recruit in the second round of the MLB Draft and gave him a record $5 million signing bonus to convince him to play pro baseball.

That risk paid off when Josh Bell became an All-Star first baseman.

The Pirates did it again, agreeing to terms Monday with pitcher Jared Jones of La Mirada (Calif.) High School. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander, who had signed with the Longhorns, was their second-round selection (No. 44 overall) in the MLB Draft on Thursday.

A very special day for @jared_jones_17 and his Family!!! Honored to have been included to witness this wonderful event.... @Keith_Jones_17 @RogerJo71783057 @Pirates @MLB pic.twitter.com/x8xdCChOdt

— bgdaddylan (@bgdaddylan) June 14, 2020

Jones announced the news on his Twitter account (@jared_jones_17), where his bio simply reads, Pittsburgh Pirates: “Childhood dreams made into reality, so grateful I get the opportunity to pusure my dream with the Pirates. Lets rock Pittsburgh!!”

Childhood dreams made into reality, so grateful I get the opportunity to pursue my dream with the @Pirates . Lets rock Pittsburgh!! ?‍☠️

— jared jones (@jared_jones_17) June 15, 2020

Jones has a four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90s and has touched 99 mph and a plus-slider, as well as a curveball and changeup. He was 2-1 with a 0.82 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 17 innings this spring before his season was stopped because of the coronavirus crisis.

Jones was 7-1 with a 0.77 ERA as a junior, and 7-2 with a 0.80 ERA as a sophomore. He had a career record of 20-6 with an 0.89 ERA, 255 strikeouts and 78 walks in 180⅓ innings, with seven complete games and a perfect game. The Perfect Game/Rawlings national high school two-way player of the year, Jones slashed .394/.473/.566 with 32 extra-base hits and 59 RBIs.

Pirates amateur scouting director Joe DelliCarri said Jones has been on the team’s radar since his freshman year of high school and they have “watched him really grow up” while playing for La Mirada, Team USA and Perfect Game.

“Unique athleticism, arm speed, pitches, competitor,” DelliCarri said. “A lot of really good traits to like and have liked for a long time.”

Flips bats. Throws heat. pic.twitter.com/Q3Dhw01wEP

— Pirates (@Pirates) June 12, 2020

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington raved about Jones’ athleticism and pitch repertoire.

“He can really make the ball move in a lot of different ways,” Cherington said. “He’s a super two-way … he can be a postition player but we’re going to give him a chance to pitch and reach his upside and we think he’s going to be a really good starting pitcher with good stuff.”