Red Sox Reportedly Take Chance On Interesting Longtime Independent Ball Reliever
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The Boston Red Sox reportedly added more depth recently.
Boston has been in the news left and right this offseason but went under the radar with a depth signing last week. The Red Sox reportedly purchased the contract of longtime Independent Baseball League hurler Joe Jones from the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, according to the club.
Jones is 27 years old and began his professional baseball career with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association league in 2017. He has since bounced around between Independent League Clubs mainly but did play in the minor leagues in 2021 as a member of the Arizona Diamondback's farm system.
The right-hander pitched spent the 2021 campaign split between Arizona's High-A and Double-A affiliates and compiled a 5.96 ERA across 23 appearances and 22 2/3 innings pitched.
Jones made his way to the RedHawks following his time with the Diamondbacks and has impressed. The hurler compiled a 3.72 ERA in 2022 in 43 appearances out of the RedHawks' bullpen. Jones also struck out 66 batters in just 55 2/3 innings pitched for an impressive rate of 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
While it's highly likely Jones won't have an impact with the Red Sox in 2023, he certainly has some upside. Jones is a big man at 6'5 and 245 pounds and is just 27 years old. He likely will play begin his career in the Boston organization with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs or Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.
There is no downside to the Red Sox's signing of Jones. He doesn't cost the team much at all and does have some upside. If he's able to reach his upside and eventually crack the big league club roster that would be great. If he's not able to, then he'll be minor-league bullpen depth. Hopefully, he can shine in the minors and eventually work his way up, but at the end of the day, this move doesn't change things for Boston in 2023.
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