Daryl Jones’ Downfall
Posted on September 2nd, 2010 by Andrew in 2005 MLB draft, Daryl Jones, Minor Leagues, tags: 2005 Draft, Daryl Jones, Springfield CardinalsWith a downright awful 2010, Daryl Jones continues to be one of the more frustrating prospects in St. Louis’ system. What at times has been seen as a toolsy, athletic, above-average corner outfielder, is starting to look like an average fourth who doesn’t have the outfield instincts to stay at center, the arm for right, or the power for left.
Jones, an extremely athletic three-sport athlete in high school, was selected in the third round of the 2005 draft. After struggling to translate his tools to results in his first full two years of pro ball, Jones broke out in 2008, posting a .316/.407/.483 line with Palm Beach, and Springfield.
While he did hold on to a steady 21.5 LD% in 2009, his first full attempt at AA was hampered by a quad strain, and he’s never been the same since. While Jones has never been expected to hit for plus-power with his linear swing, he hasn’t even been capable of posting average power numbers lately, topping a .400 SLG in just one of his past nine months of ball. In ’10, his LD% trailed off to 19.7%. With a .292 BABIP, Jones posted a park-adjusted line of .241/.332/.345.
I had previously thought that if Jones could carry his success from ’08, and the first half of ’09, he could have a legitimate shot at earning a spot with the big league club in the 2011 Spring Training. That appears to be a long-shot now. And while Jones is still just 23-years-old, this stunt in progression is startling, and something to note, in my opinion.
What say you, readers? Is the injury still hampering him? Is it too early to give up on a 23-year-old? Has your projection of his upside been changed considerably with his awful ’10 season?
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I am certainly not giving up on the kid but this was a big blow to have such a brutal year. I was one of those guys that didn’t want to see us trade him last year come the trade deadline as I really believed in his tools. I also thought it would be nice to have a true tablesetter for years to come on the big league squad. We have missed that for some time. My expectations for his future are less than what they were at this time last year. Though at 23 he still has a chance to turn it around. 2011 will be a critical year for him IMO. Another flop like this year and who knows what happens. I would say I am now cautiously optimistic with his projections.
Next year might be his last shot, move him up to AAA and see what he can do
I agree, to me he’s at AAA next year or gone.
No automatic social promotions. It does not help anyone to promote an underperformer. Jones should return to AA and if he cannot improve, then he gets released.
When Adron Chambers passed DJ moving on to Memphis first, that was a big red flag. I think DJ is in danger of removal from the 40 man roster.
I he can’t play center then i wouldnt bother with him on my team. Corner outfield spots need to be filled with some power. Sounds overly simple, but i’ve never cared for the upside being reported for Jones since he didn’t profile into center.
i’d have trouble finding a spot for him in my personal top 15
Doesn’t make my top 30
DJ hit a home run tonight.
Charlie Cutler with broken foot, Derba only pitcher on staff right now in Springfield.
Daryl Jones or Aaron Luna? Would you rank higher the toolsy high school pick with upside or the boring college pick who hits (and gets hit)?
They’re the same age.
Luna is worthless (ok maybe thats a little harsh) in the OF. I don’t understand moving a guy like him from 2nd to the OF. If he can’t cut it as a 2nd baseman then we don’t need him (well, again, a little harsh, but the major league team doesn’t need him).
What do the numbers show? If Luna is worthless… where does that put Jones?
That was my sorta my point.
If Luna needs to keep improving to cut it as a LF’er, then how much does DJ Tools need to improve? Does he realistically have a chance to be a major leaguer when he has to pass other 23 year old players like Luna who already seem so far ahead of him as a hitter?
Luna is the better prospect. Luna has moved up quickly and has a 900 OPS this year at AA. He will be at AAA in 2011-12.
Luna > Jones
After how far he has dropped and the recent comments made by Keith Law, I have no faith in him as a prospect anymore. It’s sad, because I was very excited (as we all were) about him coming up through the system after Colby Rasmus. Hopefully Nick Longmire and Oscar Taveras can take hold of those reins.
It takes some players a little while to put it all together. Remember, Daryl was a three sport man in high school. He didn’t get focused totally on baseball untill he arrived in the Cardinals organization. Daryls tool set is speed based, not armstrength or power hitting. He will make more outs than most outfielders by getting to the ball. he is capable of steals if he can get on base. Although he is not a good power hitter, he can hit homeruns. But power hitting is not the value Daryl brings to the plate.
It may take 2 or three more years to improve the other pieces and add to his toolset. Ryan Howard didn’t make it to the bg leages until he was much older than Daryl is now. Daryl is a hard working and serious ballplayer. I do have still believe that at some point he will have serious value in the big leagues.