Druw Jones Has the Loftiest Ceiling of any D-backs Prospect
This article is part of a series counting down the Diamondbacks' Top 30 prospects entering the 2024 season. These rankings are determined by Michael McDermott, in conjunction with the Inside the Diamondbacks staff.
Summary: The son of five-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove award winner Andruw Jones, Druw has the chance to be that level of player for the D-backs. Jones was selected second overall by Arizona in the 2022 MLB Draft and signed for $8.189 million. A rangy outfielder with a strong arm and plus power, Jones has the loudest tools inside the organization. His first year in the D-backs system was marred by hamstring and quad injuries, limiting him to only a handful of games. Despite that, the D-backs consider his sky-high ceiling worth gambling on with general manager Mike Hazen using the phrase "untouchable". While still years away from the big leagues, the potential payoff is the type that could thrust the team into a top-echelon contender.
Rank: 2
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'3" 180 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Tools: Hit 50, Power 60, Defense 70, Run 70, Arm 65, Overall 50
ETA: 2027
What the D-backs are saying about him?
“The biggest thing is his athleticism, his defense, and the way he can impact the game in so many ways. It’s hit, hit for power, play really good defense in center field, and run the bases. So I guess the answer would be everything, he can do it all, he’s a dynamic 5-tool player.” - Scouting director Ian Rebhan, July 2022
"My take on the situation I think a year from now he's going to be untouchable, if he's not already for us. In fact he probably is, and year from now I think we're going to look back and say he's more untouchable." - GM Mike Hazen, December 2023
2023 Recap: Jones opened the year with Class A Visalia, but struggled early on. When he was starting to get more comfortable with the level, he suffered a right quad strain on April 19th and was shelved until June. While rehabbing at the complex, Jones suffered a hamstring strain in the same leg and was out until August. After a successful rehab stint, he was added back to Visalia's roster on August 15th and had a strong finish to the season. Over his final 19 games, he hit .296/.412/.437 with five extra base hits, 14 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 85 plate appearances. Ultimately though, the season proved to be a lost year for the 2022 first-rounder.
2024 Expectations: Jones will likely repeat Visalia to open the 2024 season. With only 131 plate appearances at the level, the earliest he'll move up to Hillsboro is the All-Star break. In addition to tapping more into his plus power at the plate, Jones will need to be healthy enough to collect at least 500 PA for 2024 to be a successful season. Jones is already the best defensive outfielder in the organization, so the development of his bat will dictate his path to the major leagues. The first step will be cleaning up his batting mechanics, as he's developed a habit of stepping in the bucket and opening up too early in his swing.
Projection: Jones has a wide variety of potential outcomes, ranging from a defense-first fourth outfielder to an MVP candidate who could put up a potential 30 home run and 30 stolen base season in center field. His ceiling is higher than Corbin Carroll's but a much lower floor due to his bat being more of a project entering the pro ranks. I'd put his median outcome as an above-average regular in center field, carried by stolen bases and Gold Glove level defense.
