Jahmai Jones

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Jahmai Jones

|image =

|team = Detroit Tigers

|number =

|position = Outfielder / Second baseman

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|8|4}}

|birth_place = Roswell, Georgia, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 31

|debutyear = 2020

|debutteam = Los Angeles Angels

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .203

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 1

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 9

|teams =

Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2020}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2021}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2023}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

Jahmai Fitzgerald Jones (born August 4, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder and second baseman in the Detroit Tigers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Angels.

Amateur career

Jones attended the Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. He played football during his freshman and sophomore seasons, totaling 1,137 yards on 76 pass receptions and 12 touchdowns in those years. He then focused on baseball.{{cite news |last1=Gilberto |first1=Gerard |title=Jones finds baseball lessons in football roots |url=https://www.milb.com/news/los-angeles-angels-prospect-jahmai-jones-reminded-of-football-roots-on-262333066 |access-date=July 29, 2024 |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=November 22, 2017}} As a senior, he hit .464 with eight home runs, 21 runs batted in (RBIs), and 40 stolen bases and was named the Gwinnett Daily Post Baseball Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/baseball-player-of-the-year-move-to-lead-off-gives/article_17e8e02a-7a95-5702-9785-9d684355e29b.html|title=Baseball Player of the Year: Move to lead-off gives Wesleyan speedster Jones room to run|first=David|last=Friedlander|publisher=|accessdate=November 19, 2016}} He was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the second round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-draft-high-school-outfielder-jahmai-jones/c-129462244|title=Angels draft high school outfielder Jahmai Jones|website=MLB.com |publisher=|access-date=November 19, 2016}}

Professional career

=Los Angeles Angels=

Jones made his professional debut with the Arizona League Angels and spent all of 2015 there, posting a .244 batting average with two home runs, 20 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. In 2016, Jones started the season with the Orem Owlz and was promoted to the Burlington Bees during the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-192287620|title=Toolshed: Los Angeles Angels prospect Jahmai Jones spreading wings - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=|access-date=November 19, 2016}} He finished 2016 batting .302 with four home runs, 30 RBIs and twenty stolen bases in 64 games between both clubs.

In 2017, Jones played for both Burlington and the Inland Empire 66ers, posting a combined .282 batting average with 14 home runs, 47 RBIs, 27 stolen bases and a .794 OPS in 127 games. In 2018, Jones played with Inland and the Mobile BayBears, slashing .239/.337/.380 with 10 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases in 123 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/jahmai-jones-663330|title=Jahmai Jones Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=October 26, 2018}} In 2019, Jones spent the season with the Mobile BayBears,{{cite web|author=Jessica DeLine@abaseballchick April 4, 2019, 12:00pm PDT |url=https://www.halosheaven.com/2019/4/4/18281574/still-mobile-2019-mobile-baybears-aa-preview |title=Still Mobile: 2019 Mobile BayBears (AA) Preview |publisher=Halos Heaven |date=April 4, 2019 |accessdate=February 1, 2021}} batting .234/.308/.324 with five home runs, fifty RBIs, and nine stolen bases over 130 games. Following the season, he was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Mesa Solar Sox,{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-arizona-fall-league-rosters-announced/|title=2019 Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced|first=Josh|last=Norris|website=www.baseballamerica.com}} and also, he was added to the Angels 40-man roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/11/20/angels-add-jahmai-jones-hector-yan-to-40-man-roster/|title=Angels add Jahmai Jones, Hector Yan to 40-man roster|author=Jeff Fletcher|website=Orange County Register|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=November 21, 2019}}

On August 31, 2020, Jones made his MLB debut as a pinch runner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401226204|title=Mariners vs. Angels - Game Recap - August 31, 2020 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} On September 26, 2020, Jones got his first career hit off of Tony Gonsolin of the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Rhett |title=First MLB hits? Cool. Back to back? Wow! |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/elliot-soto-jahmai-jones-first-mlb-hits |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=September 27, 2020}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On February 2, 2021, Jones was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Alex Cobb.{{cite web |last1=Meoli |first1=Jon |title=Orioles finalize Alex Cobb trade to Angels for infielder Jahmai Jones |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-alex-cobb-trade-20210203-oqyafqruhzbtzl3gux6sab56y4-story.html |website=Baltimore Sun |date=February 2, 2021}} He was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides to begin the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/wesleyan-grad-jahmai-jones-playing-well-for-triple-a-norfolk-pushes-toward-mlb-level/article_328fdc72-ee95-11eb-ae56-17e454ca9ba0.html|title = Wesleyan grad Jahmai Jones, playing well for Triple-A Norfolk, pushes toward MLB level}} He underwent Tommy John surgery on May 27, 2022, and was designated for assignment on May 28.{{cite news |last1=Powtak |first1=Ken |title=Nathan Eovaldi gets 1st career complete game; Red Sox beat Orioles 5-3 |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2022/05/28/nathan-eovaldi-complete-game-red-sox-orioles-saturday-game-1-final-score-game-recap-highlights/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |publisher=Boston.com |date=May 28, 2022}} He was released on June 3.{{cite web | url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/orioles_release_former_heralded_prospect_jahmai_jones/s1_13237_37558641 | title=Orioles release former heralded prospect Jahmai Jones | date=June 3, 2022 }} In 67 official at-bats with Baltimore in 2021, he batted .149 with 3 RBIs, 4 walks and 5 runs.

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

Jones signed a two-year minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 23, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jahmai-jones-663330|title=Jahmai Jones Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}} In 62 games for the Triple–A Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2023, he had a .293 batting average with nine home runs and 34 RBI. On July 1, 2023, he opted out of his minor league contract and became a free agent.{{Cite web|title=Jahmai Jones: Opts out of deal|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/jahmai-jones-opts-out-of-deal/amp/|access-date=July 1, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-07-01|title=Transactions|website=Minor League Baseball}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On July 3, 2023, Jones signed a major league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and was added to their active roster.{{cite news |title=Brewers add Jahmai Jones as Brian Anderson goes on paternity list |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2023/07/03/brewers-add-jahmai-jones-as-brian-anderson-goes-on-paternity-list/70377951007/ |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=July 3, 2023}} The very same day, Jones recorded his first hit as a Brewer - a game tying, three RBI double.{{cite news |last1=Kertscher |first1=Tom |title=Jahmai Jones delivers 3-run double in 1st big league appearance since '21 in Brewers' win over Cubs |url=https://apnews.com/article/cubs-brewers-jahmai-jones-94db7bad693fee1f03d331d94b075538 |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=Associated Press News |date=July 3, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Stebbins |first1=Tim |title=In 1st MLB at-bat in 2 years, Jones lifts Crew to dramatic comeback |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jahmai-jones-hits-game-tying-three-run-double-in-win-over-cubs |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=July 3, 2023}} In seven total games for Milwaukee, he went 2–for–10 (.200) with three RBI and one stolen base. Jones was designated for assignment on February 21, 2024, following the re–signing of Brandon Woodruff.{{cite news |title=Brewers sign free agent catcher Gary Sanchez to 1-year contract |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39571204/brewers-sign-free-agent-catcher-gary-sanchez-1-year-contract |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=February 21, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Brewers re-sign right-handed pitcher Brandon Woodruff |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-brewers-re-sign-right-handed-pitcher-brandon-woodruff |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=February 21, 2024}}

=New York Yankees=

On February 28, 2024, Jones was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees.{{cite news |title=Press release: Yankees Claim INF Jahmai Jones |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-yankees-claim-inf-jahmai-jones |access-date=July 29, 2024 |work=MLB.com |date=February 28, 2024}} He made the Yankees' Opening Day roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/03/27/yankees-jahmai-jones-roster-aaron-boone-opening-day/|title=Jahmai Jones ready for anything as bench bat awaits Yankees' official roster|first=Gary|last=Phillips|website=New York Daily News |date=March 27, 2024}} Jones hit his first major league home run on May 12.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jahmai-jones-hits-first-mlb-homer-as-yankees-win|title=Yanks' Jones delivers Mother's Day gift with first MLB HR|website=MLB.com}} In 33 games for the Yankees, he batted .238/.304/.381 with one home run, four RBI, and one stolen base. Jones was designated for assignment by New York on July 29.{{cite news |last1=Castillo |first1=Jorge |work=ESPN.com |title=New York Yankees activate Giancarlo Stanton from IL |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40676301/new-york-yankees-activate-giancarlo-stanton-il |access-date=July 29, 2024 |date=July 29, 2024}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on August 2.{{Cite web|title=Yankees Release J.D. Davis, Outright Jahmai Jones|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/yankees-release-j-d-davis-outright-jahmai-jones.html|access-date=August 2, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} Jones elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

=Detroit Tigers=

On November 20, 2024, Jones signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.{{Cite web|title=Tigers Sign Jahmai Jones To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/tigers-sign-jahmai-jones-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=November 20, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

Personal life

His father, Andre Jones, played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions.{{cite web|url=http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/wesleyan-s-jones-ready-for-prime-time-as-big-baseball/article_f4d09e4f-0ce7-5f57-817d-a11d1668f59e.html|title=Wesleyan's Jones ready for prime time as big baseball future awaits|first=David|last=Friedlander|publisher=|accessdate=November 19, 2016}} He died in 2011 due to a brain aneurysm.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/06/22/former-notre-dame-player-andre-jones-dies-at-42/|title=Former Notre Dame player Andre Jones dies at 42|website=Chicago Tribune |publisher=|access-date=November 19, 2016}} His brother, T. J. Jones, was an NFL wide receiver.{{cite web|url=http://web.usabaseball.com/article.jsp?content_id=79894036|title=USABaseball.com: News: Sibling revelry: Jones succeeds despite tragedy|publisher=|accessdate=November 19, 2016}} His other brother, Malachi Jones, plays in the National Arena League (NAL) for the Albany Empire.{{Cite web|url=https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2018/03/03/angels-prospect-jahmai-jones-saw-baseball-as-a-way-to-forge-his-own-identity/|title = Angels prospect Jahmai Jones saw baseball as a way to forge his own identity|date = March 4, 2018}}