Druw Jones

Andruw Nicholas Jones

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 180 lb.
• High School Wesleyan School

• Born November 28, 2003 in Atlanta, GA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

OF Druw Jones was the second player selected in the 2022 amateur draft, by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is the son of long-time major league OF Andruw Jones.

He was considered by many to be the top player available before the 2022 draft, although not by a wide margin, and most likely to go first overall to the Baltimore Orioles. When the O's opted for another second-generation player in Jackson Holliday instead, the Diamondbacks were quick to grab Jones with the next pick. He signed very quickly, with a deal featuring a $8.19 signing bonus being announced on July 20th. This was the largest bonus ever given to a high school player. He did not play in the affiliated minors that year, as he suffered a torn labrum while in extended spring training with the Diamondbacks, necessitating surgery. He played his first professional game on April 6, 2023, with the Class A Visalia Rawhide in the California League; he immediately made the highlight reels with a catch his father would have been proud of, catching a fly ball in deepest centerfield after a long run with his back to the play.

Jones first played basketball in high school before turning to baseball, having played the game extensively as a youth, but he excelled so much at his father's sport that there was no turning back. As a junior he hit .446, and followed that by batting .570 his senior year. Both years, he complemented this with lots of power and speed on the bases. Like his father, he also distinguished himself with some outstanding defensive play and was considered a five-tool prospect. Many scouts considered him the best propsect to come out of high school since Bryce Harper a decade earlier.

Jones has a half-brother, Joshua Jones, born to his father out of an extra-marital relationship in Montreal, QC, who is considered one of the top young players in Canada and a likely top pick in 2023.

Further Reading

• Jesse Borek: "Druw makes like dad with insane catch in pro debut", mlb.com, April 7, 2023. [1]
• Mark Bowman: "Druw Jones is ready to live up to the hype", mlb.com, July 17, 2022. [2]
• Steve Gilbert: "D-backs draft Druw Jones, son of 10-time Gold Glover, at No. 2", mlb.com, July 17, 2022. [3]
• Steve Gilbert: "Druw Jones, D-backs agree to record deal for HS player (source): Outfielder joins loaded farm system that has Arizona set up for future success", mlb.com, July 20, 2022. [4]