JaCoby Jones

A fractured left wrist ended Jones' season prematurely, but when healthy, he showed slight improvement at the dish. Over 88 games, he hit a career-high .235 with 11 homers, 26 RBI and seven stolen bases while dropping his K% to 28.2 (42.2% in 2017 and 30.4% in 2018). He also finished with a 43.2% hard-hit rate and a 6.1% barrel rate. Considering Jones finished the 2018 season with a .207 average, he certainly took a step forward in 2019, though he still has a long way to go before turning into a reliable fantasy option, especially considering his career 31.9 K%. Fortunately, he should see plenty of opportunities to grow as a hitter next season, as the 27-year-old figures to once again slot into a starting role in center field thanks to his stellar defensive play on a rebuilding Tigers' ballclub.

Jones managed to crack the Tigers' Opening Day roster and began the season in a reserve role, but before long was seeing a heavy share of starts in left and center field. The 26-year-old finished with a .207/.266/.364 slash line with 11 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 467 PA, with the bulk of his value coming from his work on defense. The outfielder's low walk rate (5.1%) and high strikeout rate (30.4%) are multi-year patterns, making it difficult to see a significant jump offensively. Jones is a defensive-oriented outfielder and could very well end up as the Tigers' Opening Day starter in center field, but he hasn't flashed enough of a consistent bat in the majors (.199 career AVG) to warrant much fantasy attention.

By slashing .327/.377/.510 in 49 Grapefruit League at-bats, Jones managed to break camp with the Tigers. He even cracked a three-run homer on Opening Day. It was downhill from there for the 25-year-old outfielder, as he was hit in the face a few weeks later, requiring a month's stay on the disabled list. At the time, he was sporting a weak .150/.244/.300 line. Jones came back in late May, only to be sent to Triple-A Toledo 10 days later. Jones continued to struggle, hitting .245/.314/.387 on the farm before injuries and trades in Motown prompted his recall in mid-August. From there, Jones didn't fare much better, slashing .189/.247/.278 with a 40 percent strikeout rate. Jones has tools but has yet to channel them into baseball skills. Detroit is in retooling mode, so they could give Jones another chance. However, it's hard to imagine he can reverse a long history of elevated strikeouts with little plate patience.

A third-round pick in 2013, Jones has risen through the minors steadily, split between the organizations of the Pirates and the Tigers, but he did little in his first exposure to Triple-A last season (90 wRC+) to warrant an extended look in the show. He got a cup of coffee with the Tigers in September and predictably fell flat. He could offer gap power with the potential for double-digit steals over the course of a full season, but his hit tool may simply be too poor for the whole package to work. The trade of Cameron Maybin might thrust Jones into a regular role as Detroit's center fielder before his bat is ready, but his development would be best served by a few hundred more plate appearances at Triple-A in order to ensure a smoother transition to the bigs. He was also a full-time center fielder for the first time in 2016, and the Tigers might want to see some more innings from Jones in the pasture before entrusting him with the keys to center field in Detroit.

Jones has always been a difficult player to evaluate, as his above-average power and speed leads to impressive counting stats, but it’s also hard to ignore the holes in his swing and his lack of a true position. The Tigers saw something they liked, as he was the lone piece they received from Pittsburgh in a deadline deal for Joakim Soria. Unfortunately, he will miss the first 50 games of 2016 after testing positive for a drug of abuse for a second time. Jones had 16 homers, 25 steals (on 32 attempts), and a .257/.322/.415 line between two organizations in 2015 while splitting time at High-A and Double-A as a 23-year-old. Shortstop is his current position, but at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he is a better fit at third base. This fits perfectly with what the Tigers may need in the near future if Nick Castellanos continues to turn in below replacement-level campaigns. Still, the potential for a utility player or Quad-A type remains the most likely long-term outcome for Jones.

Jones, a 2013 third-round draft pick, has one of the highest offensive upsides in the Pittsburgh organization. He hit .288/.347/.503 with 23 homers and 17 stolen bases for Low-A West Virginia in 2014, though at 22, the LSU product was a bit old for his level. He also committed 24 errors in 99 games at shortstop, bringing into question whether he ultimately might move to another position. Jones has experience in center field, but the Pirates' stacked outfield might mean a move to second or third base in the future. For now, he'll continue moving up the organizational ladder -- most likely playing for High-A Bradenton in 2015 -- in a farm system lacking players with his potential offensive ceiling.