Jared Jones, the 22-year-old right-hander for the Pittsburgh Pirates, delivered a stellar performance on Saturday, leading his team to a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Jones struck out 10 batters without allowing a walk over seven near-perfect innings, showcasing his electric arm and impressive command on the mound.
The young pitcher mixed a fastball that reached triple digits with a slider and change-up, leaving the Rockies either swinging and missing or looking back at home-plate umpire Stu Scheurwater in surprise after taking a called strike three. Jones’ dominant outing was a testament to his talent and potential, as he continues to establish himself as a key player in the Pirates’ rotation.
A Vote of Confidence from Manager Derek Shelton
One of the most significant moments for Jones came after the sixth inning when he walked into the dugout expecting manager Derek Shelton to tell him, “good job, that’s it.” Instead, Shelton sent Jones back to the mound for the seventh inning, marking the first time in his major league career that he pitched beyond the sixth.
“Obviously, I’ve had a short leash before, and that was to protect me,” Jones said. “Having him let me go out for the seventh, yeah, it pumped me up.”
This vote of confidence from Shelton was a clear indication of the trust the team has in Jones and his ability to handle a more significant workload. The young pitcher responded by striking out two more batters and inducing a routine ground ball to end the inning, capping off one of the most dominant outings by a Pittsburgh starter in recent memory.
Jones’ Rapid Development and Promising Future
Jones, a second-round pick in 2020, has made remarkable progress since arriving at spring training in Bradenton. Despite solid performances in the minors last summer, few expected him to make such a significant leap in such a short time. However, Jones beat out several other promising young pitchers, including Quinn Priester and Luis Ortiz, to earn a spot in the starting rotation and has not looked back since.
In seven starts, Jones has amassed an impressive 52 strikeouts against just five walks, demonstrating the kind of command typically reserved for far more experienced players. His performance has drawn comparisons to Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider, though Jones remains focused on his own development and not getting ahead of himself.
“If you throw the ball well, people start seeing things,” Jones said, downplaying the comparisons.
A Promising Future for the Pirates’ Rotation
With Jones’ continued success and the imminent arrival of 21-year-old Paul Skenes, the top overall pick in the 2023 draft, the Pirates’ rotation looks set for a bright future. Skenes has been dominating at Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 0.39 ERA and looking every bit as major-league ready as Jones.
While Jones and Skenes are not overtly competitive with each other, they share a mutual respect and desire to see one another succeed. As Jones put it, “I wouldn’t say it’s competitive. I think every pitcher here wants everyone else to shove, and that’s exactly what’s going on. So it’s fun to watch him pitch, and I’m sure he feels the same way about me.”
Grandal’s Praise for Jones and Skenes
Yasmani Grandal, who recently made his Pittsburgh debut behind the plate after spending time catching Skenes during a rehab assignment, had high praise for both young pitchers. He described Jones as far from a “one-trick pony” and was impressed by Skenes’ talent and preparation.
“Both of those guys are pretty electric,” Grandal said, expressing his excitement for the future of the Pirates’ rotation.
The Pirates’ Cautious Approach to Young Pitchers
Despite the obvious talent and potential of both Jones and Skenes, the Pirates organization remains committed to a deliberate approach in their development. The team is taking steps to protect the young arms, gradually increasing their workload and pitch counts to ensure long-term success and minimize the risk of injury.
This cautious approach has led to some eyebrow-raising moments, such as when manager Derek Shelton pulled Jones after five innings and 59 pitches (50 of them strikes) against the New York Mets last month. However, general manager Ben Cherington defended the decision, emphasizing the organization’s focus on the big picture and not asking too much of Jones too soon.
Grandal’s High Expectations for Jones
Despite the Pirates’ cautious approach, Yasmani Grandal believes that Jones is already ready for more. The veteran catcher, who has worked with numerous talented pitchers throughout his career, set a high bar for Jones’ future performances.
“If you don’t go seven innings or more with him, it’s not a good outing,” Grandal said. “That’s how highly I think of him.”
This glowing endorsement from Grandal serves as a testament to Jones’ skill, work ethic, and potential to become a true ace in the Pirates’ rotation for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Jared Jones delivered a dominant performance, striking out 10 batters over seven innings in the Pirates’ 1-0 victory over the Rockies.
- Manager Derek Shelton showed confidence in Jones by allowing him to pitch the seventh inning for the first time in his MLB career.
- Jones has made remarkable progress since spring training, earning a spot in the rotation and demonstrating impressive command and strikeout numbers.
- The Pirates have a promising future with Jones and top prospect Paul Skenes, who has been dominating at Triple-A.
- The organization is taking a cautious approach to protect their young pitchers, gradually increasing their workload to ensure long-term success.
- Yasmani Grandal has high expectations for Jones, believing that anything less than seven innings is not a good outing for the talented young pitcher.
As Jared Jones continues to develop and showcase his skills on the mound, Pirates fans have every reason to be excited about the future of their team’s rotation. With the guidance of the coaching staff and the support of his teammates, Jones has the potential to become a true ace and lead the Pirates to success for many years to come.
