Druw Jones, the second pick of the 2022 MLB Draft, made his professional debut on Thursday. And if this play is any indicator, the Arizona Diamondbacks and their fans will have a lot of fun watching him in the future.
Jones is the son of Andruw Jones, a five-time MLB All-Star. As his 10 Gold Gloves will attest, Jones is one of the greatest defensive centerfielders of all time. And the apple may not have fallen far from the tree.
Arizona’s Single-A affiliate, the Visalia Rawhide, opened their 2023 season on Thursday against the Lake Elsinore Storm, the Single-A affiliate of the Padres. For the most part, it was an ugly game for Visalia.
But Jones provided one notable exception.
In the fifth inning, Lake Elsionore’s Griffin Doersching launched a ball to deep center. While it seemed destined to be an extra-base hit, Jones immediately began tracking the ball down. Just in front of the wall, Jones reached his left hand out and made a stellar over-the-shoulder grab. Even Doersching admired the play, tipping his cap to Jones.
Druw Jones with a SENSATIONAL running grab for the @VisaliaRawhide.
MLB's No. 13 prospect makes a mark in his first pro game since the @Dbacks selected him 2nd overall last summer: pic.twitter.com/jJKX9AQnJc
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 7, 2023
If you went to this game and left early because it was a blowout, we extend our sympathies. You’re not going to see many catches better than that this year. Heck, you’re not going to see many catches better than that over the next 100 years.
Baseball fans were in absolute awe of Jones’ remarkable play.
A chip off the old block https://t.co/ZRWVSxwAXM
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 7, 2023
My gosh, Willie @jones_druw https://t.co/7r5HjLOOhW
— Tyler Zuber (@TylerZuber) April 7, 2023
What in the world https://t.co/3IFUXsV8Bm
— Evan A. (@TwoSeamGripe) April 7, 2023
Just like Dad, holy cow. https://t.co/5Np3wUs1PN
— Eric Solbakken (@CoachSolbakken) April 7, 2023
First of many pro games for Druw Jones.
First of many Gold Glove-worthy grabs for Druw Jones.
The highlight reel starts here: https://t.co/2fUOuUMl1b
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) April 7, 2023
Wow. Yeah, that's Andruw Jones' son alright. https://t.co/wAZdBfBJUf
— Brent Stecker (@BrentStecker) April 7, 2023
Jones also got a shoutout from his dad.
I 👀 u @jones_druw https://t.co/asARHb09JG
— Andruw Jones (@andruwjones25) April 7, 2023
Given where he started, Jones made a fantastic effort just to get close to that ball. That he actually brought it in is nothing short of amazing.
Jones is only 19, so the Diamondbacks will likely be patient with him moving through the organization. But catches like this one will give baseball fans everywhere a lot of excitement about what the future holds for Jones.
[Photo Credit: MLB Pipeline]
