It's Going... Going... Gone!

As I said yesterday, this year has been full of surprises. Whether it's Wakefield or Cruz. Branyan or Sanchez... This season has been a great one so far! One of the biggest surprises this month in particular is the Pirates new utility player, Garrett Jones. I never even heard of Jones coming into this year, unfortunately. He has been a massive explosion in the Pirates new/old organization. If you'd like to think of the chances he'll be with the organization after the Trade Deadline... I'd say slim to none. The pirates don't really like to hold on to their stronger players. Espicially if they are an outfielder.

Anyway, back to our story. Mr. Jones first attracted scouts attention when he was playing for Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, IL. He was a 14th round pick by the Braves in 1999 and was released after three minor league seasons. In 2005 he signed with the Twins and played for the Rochester Red Wings until 2008 when he was released. He did however get his first MLB hit off of Paul Byrd. That one hit however, was the highlight of his short lived life in major league baseball. He finally signed with the Bucs this year and he put up wonderful numbers in Spring Training but did not make the MLB roster, however. He finally got called up to show what he can do only after the Pirates decided their outfield was too good and they needed to get rid of them. He has played first-base and outfield so far this season and has been like Superman at the plate.

He leads the big leagues with 9 home runs in the month of July and at the pace he is going, will hold on to that title to finish off the month. He is said to maybe play first base full-time in the absence of Adam LaRoche and hopefully that is true as he will go down as one of the biggest surprises of the year if he stays the way he is. Just the other day he hit a monster home run into the Allegheny River, becoming one of the elite few to accomplish that.

I am not completely sure if Garrett Jones is eligible for Rookie of the Year, although I believe he is. If he is indeed eligible, he is one to watch for. He will most likely challege Colby Rasmus and a couple others for the title, but I think Rasmus and Jones will be the finalists.

Who knows as this is a long season, but lets just remember the name Garrett Jones now, as I have a feeling we'll be hearing about him for a few more years.

Have something you'd like to see discussed on here? E-mail it to me at chuck@chucksttmautos.com!