Diamondbacks select OF Druw Jones with 2nd overall pick in MLB Draft
Jul 17, 2022, 4:24 PM
Druw Jones #22 (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected outfielder Druw Jones, the son of former Atlanta Braves All-Star Andruw Jones, with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft on Sunday.
The 18-year-old Jones was named the 2022 Georgia High School State Player of the Year and led his team to an undefeated 35-0 record.
Jones hit for a whopping .570 batting average in his final high school season and smashed 13 home runs.
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Standing at 6-foot-4 and 180 lbs, Jones is one of the taller prospects taken in the draft and is expected to develop more power as he continues to fill out his long frame.
His prospect profile is similar to his fathers in that defense is one of the strengths. Jones’ father won 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1998-2007.
His MLB.com Prospect Rankings description has him tabbed as the top defensive prospect in the draft.
Jones is the best defensive center fielder in the 2022 high school crop and might be the best defender in the entire Draft. His speed and instincts combine to give him tremendous range and his well-above-average arm strength stands out at a position not known for many cannons. Scouts who have seen the Vanderbilt recruit take infield say he has the tools and actions to play a fine shortstop as well.
He joins a group of emerging young outfield prospects for Arizona that includes Alek Thomas, Daulton Varsho and Corbin Carroll.
Jones was not the only son of a former MLB star as short stop Jackson Holliday, son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, was selected No. 1 overall.
