Jonesy's potential
When fans and media talk about some young Orioles players and how they can improve in the future they seem to mention players like Nolan Reimold, Matt Wieters and Brian Matusz.
It almost feels like Adam Jones is a veteran after two years and 251 O's games. But at 24, Jones points out he still has plenty of room to grow as a player.
At FanFest, a reporter referred to him as a veteran.
"You say, veteran, I'm only 24, I'm still young. I like that part, the leadership and all that stuff. Taking control of this team. Every time people mention our core group of players, they mention three or four players, I think we have seven or eight core guys," Jones.
In 119 games in 2009, Jones, who played in his first All-Star game in July, batted .277-19-70 in 473 at bats.
He ended the year on the DL with a sprained ankle but has been fully 100 percent for months.
If he could ever put together a full year like he began last season, he could put up some massive numbers. Jones hit 11 homers in his first 45 games, then just eight over the final 74 games.
Jones, before AS break: .303-12-47
Jones, post AS break: .222-7-23
Jones was asked about his struggles after the All-Star break.
"There's no reason for it, I just didn't get it done the second half. I hit a little wall and got a little tired. For the most part I was seeing the ball good, but results weren't happening. That's why it's a game of adjustments."
He said he noticed pitchers making big adjustments vs. him as the year went on and now he has to learn how to handle that.
But what a start he had. By the end of May, Jones was batting .344-11-36. The O's were averaging 4.9 runs per game at that point, a nearly 800-run full season pace.
With his speed and the ability to do damage on the bases and at the bat, Jones is a huge catalyst in the O's lineup.
Even with his second-half falloff, he was still a dramatically improved player from year one to two with the club and his OPS went from .711 to .792.
He is not yet even arbitration eligible and realizes that any talks about a long-term contract are still probably a year or two away.
"That's not up to me. I just want to play."
Jones has quickly become a fan favorite and says it still is a bit of a thrill to see fans in Baltimore wearing his number 10 jersey.
"That's a crazy part, to see my jersey around the city. It's pretty cool, the city has embraced me well and treated me well and all I want to do is reward them."
What improvements can Jones make in his game? How good can he be? Is he the most complete five-tool talent on the team?
 |
Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
I'd love to see AJ play at least 150 games this season. We need him to stay healthy and remain in the lineup. I'm expecting a huge 2010 from #10. Let it rip, AJ!!!
Adam probably is the most complete 5-tool player on the team. That being said, a big reason for his fall off in the second half was because of, in my opinion, his every AB tendency to swing his arms out of the sockets. The guy tried to hit a home run on every swing. I have never seen somebody swing so hard in all my life, and swinging like that tends to pull your head off the ball. When he connects, the ball goes a long way, but when he doesn't, he looks foolish. Crowley should be able to take care of this, if Adam is willing.
I'd like to see Adam play every day ,be consistent no matter where he bats , become a better base runner and stealer, and HIT THE DARN CUTOFF MAN! Its crazy how many times the O's lose important outs because of base running errors and extra bases the opponents get because of lousy throws. Hopefully with the new spring training facility these errors will be eliminated .
jones needs to mprove his physical conditioning to play deeper in the season and probably needs to become stronger mentally to handle the grind of a long season. his speed is probably better than nick..nick looks like he has a stronger more accurate arm, jones may have better power and both look like they should always be around .300. reimold has a lot of skills. wieters lacks speed but looks like he will above average in defense, power and average. that's 4 exceptionally talented players who if i was the o's gm look to sign reimold, weiters amd jones long term contracts now.
_________________________
Actually, Terp, I think Jones is one of the better conditioned athletes on the team. In 2008 he suffered a foot injury and missed time after fouling a ball off his foot and last year he sprained an ankle. Those didn't have anything to do with his conditioning.......Steve
I like Jones a lot to be honest, but he needs to stay off the DL this year. I love his intensity and defense, and I think he needs to improve his defense a little more by positioning himself further back to prevent so many doubles going over his head. I would also love to see him step up as a vocal leader for this team, one thing we are really lacking. Offensively, he just needs to get back to what he was doing in the first half last year: take pitchers deep into every count and just try to get base hits, the homers will come. The one thing I noticed that pitchers really started to adjust to was throwing Jones fastballs/curveballs for outside balls and he would swing and miss, he needs to layoff those pitches, I hope he worked on that this offseason.
I think I need to work on my plate discipline. I've never drawn many walks, and if I take more pitches, work the count, draw some walks, and stop being such a hacker then it will be easier to work my way out of slumps. I also need to pay attention to Coach Shelby when he tells me to play deeper, and even though I'm very fast I've never been a great base stealer, so I can work on reading pitchers and getting better jumps. I should be able to steal 20-30 bases easy with my speed.
____________________
Thanks for checking in "Adam"
Keep doing what he's doing. His injuries have been of a flukish nature, nothing to worry about there.
He's got everything he needs, attitude, athleticism, intelligence and leadership qualities.
I still think he'd be a better left fielder, but I may feel different if Pie wasn't on the team.
I think Jones has the most upside of any O. I think the important thing for him is to establish some consistency & to stay healthy. The sky is the limit & I am amped that we get to watch him patrol CF for hopefully 10+ years. The guy should end up being by far the best CF in O's history. Stay strong up the middle O's !
Steve, when does Jones' contract expire? Any chance the O's lock him up early ala Markakis ? I certainly hope thats the plan
_____________________________
He will likely soon have his contract renewed for a year thru 2010. His service time is 2 years, 139 days so he just missed Super 2 arbitration status. Players with that amount of time usually just have the club renew their deal for a year, they really have little bargaining power at that point. Like Guthrie last year. Adam cannot be a free agent until after the 2013 season. Well before that, maybe nexct year, you would figure the O's would start thinking about a long-term deal for him.........Steve
How do we know whether the "adam jones" sign-in is a put-on or real?
__________________________
I am almost certain that is not the real Adam.......Steve
Yea, I think you are really off base when you say Jones needs more conditioning fkterp. It should be no surprise that BROB and Jones are the most conditioned players on the team after working so hard at the API in Arizona. Seems like an effort that really sets people apart as far as conditioning goes. I volunteered at fan fest and was able to meet Adam Jones in one of the back rooms when he was eating lunch. He looks like he is in unbelievable shape and said he is focused on being really toned for the season. He looked jacked to me.
He also joked with me saying, "Yea we're trying to get Matusz' ass in better shape." He said Brian, BROB, and himself were some of the guys at API. We had a good laugh over that. Should be good to see how much Matusz' conditioning helps his official rookie campaign.
Well said everyone! Now Jonesy go out there and do you baby boy! You know what you need to work on and it is going to come with grace and style, so as I always say,"Head up, A$$ down, It will be greater later"!!!!
Love,
Mommy
_______________________
Thanks for writing in Andrea and yes, she is Adam's mom in case anyone is doubting that. Always appreciate your input.......Steve
Steve,
I hate to bring up coaching this early in the year but it seems that everyone (just about) falls off during the second half of seasons and it has to be something with the coaching staff. Whether it's Luke Scott, Nolan Reimold or Adam Jones to name a few...it appears they are not being taught to make the adjustments or prepare themself for a full 162 game season. Whether it's motivational or training there is something missing. We've been seeing this for the past couple years now. Is there anything new that Trembley plans to do this year to fix or focus on this? Am I just way off base?
__________________________
Stevie, I feel you are off base. Matt Wieters, Brad Bergesen and Felix Pie are examples of players who got better as the season went on. All three were flourising at the end (of course for Bergy the end came via inj in July). Brian Roberts hit .295 after the All-Star break and Nolan Reimold was hitting .364 in Sept until the Achilles injury.......Steve
I like how on his "to do list" not get injured is on there. good luck with that one. I think that is also the advice they are giving Peyton Manning for the Superbowl.
Jones probably has the top overall skill set, however, I would rank the Orioles Top Tools as follows:
Average: Markakis
Power: Reimold
Run: Roberts
Throw: Markakis
Fielding: Izturis
As far as improvements, he just need to continue to learn the game. Work on hitting the cutoff man and learning hitter tendencies. He also can learn plate patience. Bobby Abreu is maddening not only because he will kill you if you make a mistake but he also doesn't swing at junk.
Mrs. Bradley: I just wanted to thank you for contributing to Steve and Roch's blogs. Watching Adam in April and May last year, I'm not sure I ever saw a more exciting Oriole player, and I go back to '66. Like so many others, I'm thrilled to have someone of Adam's ability, effort, and obvious character on the team, and look forward to years of watching him play as a Baltimore Oriole. Thanks for sharing him with us!
I believe Mr. Jones is a good talent. I also feel he'll never be much more than a .280 hitter with some pop. Which is sufficient, but durability is going to be an issue with him. He already has had multiple leg problems ranging from muscle to joint injuries. The biggest problem for him will be dealing with his lower back pain. This is usually a chronic problem that very rarely goes away, especially over a lengthy baseball season. He's never made it to 480 ABs and may never get many more than that in a season. That's why Pie's development is crucial for our young core of players. Plus, Adam needs to learn to hit lefties with more effectively and with more pop. .246 with .357 slg. just won't cut it. Hitting lefties is what made Tejada a crucial addition. Atkins hits lefties with some pop even in his poor year last year. We needed those additions.
One thing Jones didn't mention was learning bat control and learning to read pitches by practicing BUNTING! Watching those hard out side sliders and split finger fastballs ( that he was pulling off of in the second half ) come all the way into the bat a minimum 45 min. every day BEFORE regular batting practice, will help you to better visualize the path of those pitches and keep your head in there during your regular swing. I love the way this young man searches for his weaknesses among his many strengths and I don't expect him to take advice from a blogger, just please check in with coaches Samuel, Bordick and Crowley. I think they'll agree that being able to bunt in the number two slot with your speed will make you a better hitter and a more valuable ( if not most valuable ) teammate.
Mr.Jones(The Truth)has shown great potential over his first 2 seasons as an O, and I can't doubt that he will be a really great player soon, maybe a superstar. Adam has great defensive skills, speed, power, and potential. I think that AJ needs to work on patience and making ajustments at the plate because you can obviosly see that his numbers have dropped after the AS break. Pitchers have found ways to pitch to AJ better and he needs to find a way to hit pitchers better(espically lefties). Also, Mr.Jones cannot keep swinging at bad pitches and trying to hit for the fence all the time. Baseball is mostly a mental game and if Adam can put his head together, his numbers will rise. Mrs.Bradley, thank you for taking the time to contribute to our blogs. Please continue to cheer on AJ. You must be very proud of your son. Go O's.
__________________
O's fan, why do you call him "the truth"?
I do agree that Adam needs better plate discipline and less swinging for the fences. I thought both were factors in his second half and really feel that he got himself out as much as some pitchers did. An approach at the plate like he had in the beginning of 2009 and his numbers could really be something.......Steve
AJ has to improve his recognition of the strike zone. After June 1. he was constantly getting himself out on pitches nowhere near the strike zone, and every opposing team knew that, so they kept pitching away, especially down and away.
Andrea: Head Up A$$ Down is my new mantra.
Maybe we should try to get you a book deal. I think I have a pretty cool book idea for you.
If Steve can't give you my email address, Roch has it.
@OCJ:
Thanks sweetie! I just like to call it like I see it, however bias I am. As I stated to someone yesterday, Jonesy was born to be "shared", so "enjoy" him. I know I do!!!!! Now all of you stop the knit picking and lets get out there and support those Orioles like we all have a brother or son on the team. Its coming, I feel it! I feel it down deep in my arthritic hips, legs and feet! Let's GO O'S. Can I get a witness?
@ Steve:
Dude, you know how I do! I may be a little bit outspoken, but you know you wouldn't have it any other way, right? LOL! See you soon!
_____________________________
Andrea, I think it is awesome to see your support of Adam and he is lucky to have you in his corner. He's been a joy to work with the last two years and I can't wait to see him put it all together since what we've seen so far has been pretty awesome.
An all-star game and gold glove already! As you can see, the O's fans really enjoy hearing from you so drop a line anytime! Steve
one more thing Adam needs to work on is sliding into second base. Last year he was thrown out several times because his lead leg is high and goes over the bag. He is tagged out on the trailing leg. If his lead leg had gone into the bag he would have been safe. And there would have been less chance of injury.
The Orioles must have been aware of this because they had him try sliding head first. I thought he was going to kill himself. How hard can it be to teach a player with so much ability to slide into a base!!!!
_____________________________
Marty - I'll let you in on a clubhouse conversation. While it is never my place to tell any player how to play the game or ever even make a suggestion, I did ask Adam one time early last year if he noticed he got thrown out stealing second and they had tagged his trailing foot while the first one did go over the bag as you say.
He said no one had mentioned it to him until I had. I remarked to check the game tape and he would see that it was true. I did notice after that he had the front leg down more and hitting the bag first. I noticed what you did and I think Adam is aware of it. I was suprised no coach had mentioned it to him.
Steve
@Ghostwriter:
Great saying huh? Been telling Adam that for years. No regrets either. He holds himself accountable for everything he does and I respect him as the professional that he is. It is with great honor that I am able to say that Adam LaMarque "Pappo Cochiese" Jones aka "Jonesy" is my boy and for every ball he strikes at and misses, know that he is beating himself up far worse than anyone out there can. He knows what he can be and he sometimes feels the pressure, BUT.,..You will never seem him "SWEAT" LOL!
@Steve:
Thank you very much. It is not hard to be in his corner. We are very close as you know and I watch every game and talk to him before and after, good or bad, win or lose. Lsst year, I went through so many boxes of tissue watching him run down those balls and crack those long balls. I have lost my voice screaming at the TV and have had my husband come running when he heard my shrieks throughout the house, thinking I was having a seizure, only to find out that Jonesy has made a "Gold Glove" play while patrolling that 410 foot wall out there. I love Baltimore myself and Adam tells me, "Mom, I think the fans love you more than they love me" and I responded by saying, "well hell, then we will just have to love them back" and I do, I really do. So Baltimore, MASN, fans, just take care of my baby and you will have a happy camper in Andrea Bradley.
Steve, I also give you and/or Roch permission to share my contact info with Ghostwriter. I have thought about a book for a while now, LOL!
Take care, ya'll - Can't wait for Baseball to start, I have been having withdrawals for months now!
__________________________________
I think you are becoming pretty popular with the fans. My bosses may have to get you your own blog. Meanwhile, I will pass along your e-mail since you gave approval. Thanks, Steve
Well the problem is no pitcher in their right mind will throw Jones a strike.He's convinced himself he can be a bad ball hitter and having Tejada as an example will probably make this worse.They pitched around him even having nick behind him.I don't even know where he hits in the lineup,maybe 6th until he gets his discipline down.
Steve-
I know we are NOT done with the offseason quite yet. However, reading Macphail's comments about not seeing anyone else getting added to the 40 man, really brings me down.
Some would argue that we are regressing and the process is taking WAY to long to get back into contention, largely held up by them not spending any money, I feel they did some good things so far.
I wish they would do what it took to land a marque bat at 1b, but that just ain't gonna happen.
What makes me mad is, with Andy's comments, I assume that a Bedard reunion is NOT going to happen. Even with as much as everyone in the country who cares, thought it was.
This is a mistakes. The O's are a perfect team at this point to take a flyer on either Bedard, Harden, or Mulder.
All of them are at an age where if they are good to go, they could really make a difference. In Harden and Bedards case, you could potentially be adding a CY Young winner/Ace pitcher to your staff, which could bring you and extra 25-28 wins. 1 guy. If they CAN'T sign marquee players, they HAVE to grab these guys once in a while. The good teams do it every year. Like when the Sox took Baldelli last year.
You might catch lightning, and it isn't going to be a contract that cripples you for a long term.
Harden is gone. For $7 million. Bedard probably wants similar, maybe less because he is coming off injury. If the O's were smart, and wanted to motivate a player that is as good as it gets when he wants to be, they would say, we'll give you 5. However, we will give you the CHANCE to be one of the highest paid pitchers in MLB. We will give you 200 Thou a win. We will give you 1/2 Mill for 150 inn, 175, and 200 inn. We will give you 1/2 Mill for top 5 in the Cy Young vote.
My point is, get him here and motivate him. If he goes 17-4 with a 2.75 ERA and pitches 200 innings with 200k's, isn't it WORTH $16 million for the season?
Tim from R'town - easy to spend someone else's money, isn't it? What 17-4 pitcher wouldn't be worth $16M? Heck, why don't we just spend $80M this year on 5 really good starters and buy 85-20 record? Because the risk isn't worth the reward! While incentive-laden contracts are great for the fans, few agents (or the Players' Association) go for it. If it was as easy as spending money and notching wins, I'm sure Angelos would do it. He wants to win just as much as any owner.
Steve - seems we have star in the making and I'm not talking about AJ. Mrs. Bailey might take away your readship! Just kidding, of course. While I love her rah-rah style, your insight is invaluable.
Like others have pointed out, I'm sure AJ is aware of the areas in which he needs to improve. That little insider story about his lead foot sliding over the bag was nice. Very perceptive Marty!
One of the things I like about him is his apparent "coachability". As mentioned, he was a markedly improved player in just his second year as an Oriole. Talk about being injury-prone is non-sense. He sustained one injury in each of the last two seasons that kept him out for an extended period each time. One injury was fluke (the batted ball off his foot) and the ankle injury is a common one. He'll heal from that completely with no lasting effects. Now if he missed an extended period in the upcoming season, maybe that label would start to apply. But not now.
While everyone talks about him playing "too shallow" and letting "too many balls get over his head for doubles", nobody seems to mention how many singles he takes away. Considering there are nearly 3x more singles hit than doubles (see the MLB avg team stats: 960 singles vs 291 doubles), I don't have a problem with letting one get over his head every now and then as long as he takes away 4 that would have dropped in front of him). I seem to remember someone named Blair who patrolled CF in Memorial Stadium in much the same fashion. Did people cry about that then?
Jonesy's range (laterally) is unparalleled IMO. It almost seemed that the coaches had to tell him to reign it in a little last year. I think his range going back on balls will improve as he matures. He seems to have a great relationship with Torii Hunter (were they friends before the AS game?). I'm sure he'll get some tips from that fellow Gold Glover.
Nice to see that he can throw the ball from the OF wall to the plate on the fly. Now maybe he'll dupe the opponents into thinking he can't control it and he'll gun down some of the guys who try to run on him. Judging an OFer's arm is such a difficult thing. A high number of assists indicate that the opponents think you've got a weak arm, so they just give you more chances to throw them out. Having only a few assists (or none) means that the opponent wasn't willing to run on you out of respect for your arm. And how do you track whether a runner advanced (or didn't advance) based on an OFer's throw to the infield? While I too would like to see AJ hit the cut-off man more, I think its just another part of his game that will develop with time.
Nice to hear such critique of a kid who's just 24-years old!
Oops...I mistakenly referred to Mrs. Bradley as Mrs. Bailey. Can you correct that for me? Thx.
AJ became one of my favorite players as soon as he got here. I think he'll be patrolling CF for years to come and I absolutely love his potential. To think we may get Bedard back, what a steal. Here's hoping to a huge year from Adam.