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Williams: Jared Jones is a Familiar Story With Hopefully a Different Ending

Stop me if this sounds familiar.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a right-handed pitcher in A-ball who can consistently throw 98-99 MPH. He was signed to a big bonus out of high school, away from a big name college. He strikes out everyone with his fastball and plus breaking pitch.

He also needs better control, and could possibly use a changeup.

Jared Jones was drafted by the Pirates in the second round in 2020. He was paid a $2.2 million bonus. He now throws 98-99 MPH on command, through a high-effort delivery, and mixes in a slider that helps him achieve a strikeout rate around 30%.