Enough criticism of Adam Jones already

Adam Jones chases pitches and the Orioles don't draw enough walks. We should talk more about that.

While we are at it, I think Jones is to blame for Matt Wieters' elbow discomfort, Ubaldo Jimenenz's poor April, Tommy Hunter's blown saves and J.J. Hardy's homer drought.

I also thought it was a little chilly out last night and Jones should have to explain why.

Meanwhile, here are a few facts: Jones has a 13-game hitting streak and has hit five homers over his last 12 games. Hardy has no homers over his last 57 games. But which player is more scrutinized?

Going to just state it real straight right here: The criticism of Jones by some is way over the top and not justified.

Is he fair game for criticism? Yes, of course. Should he be criticized for his poor at-bat in the ninth Saturday night? Yes. Have some gone way beyond reason in their criticisms of Jones? Absolutely.

Then the justification of some of the criticism is just as bad. Some say they just want him to be great. They just want him to take his game to another level. They just want him to be as good as Mike Trout.

Is any of this ever said of another player on the team? Waiting for someone to write on here and say they appreciate Chris Tillman's talents, but just want him to be as good as Justin Verlander.

Some either don't believe it or don't want to hear it, but Jones is one of the most productive hitters on the team. He currently ranks second to Nelson Cruz in homers and RBIs. His .725 OPS, which is likely to get better, ties Chris Davis and is better then the OPS numbers for Hardy, Manny Machado, Nick Markakis and Jonathan Schoop.

Chasing pitches and subpar plate discipline comes with a package that last year produced more than 30 homers, 100 runs and 100 RBIs.

Four players in the majors did that last year. That is four, total. Chris Davis, Miguel Cabrera, Paul Goldschmidt and Jones.

Two players in the majors have 35 or more doubles and 30 or more homers the last two years - Jay Bruce and Jones. That is two.

Some of you just blasting away at the guy right now would never link Jones with those players, but guess what? He is linked with those players.

By the way, the stat sheet says when Jones swings early in the count, he does very well:

* He hits .455 with an OPS of 1.121 when swinging at the first pitch.
* He hits .429 with an OPS of .857 with a 1-0 count.
* He hits .417 with an OPS of 1.167 with a 0-1 count.

Jones has drawn four walks all year and they all came in April. He has not walked in May. But in April, when Jones walked four times in 103 plate appearances, he did not hit as well as he has in May when he has drawn zero walks in 77 plate appearances.

April: Four walks, one homer, .265 avg., .367 slugging, .659 OPS.
May: Zero walks, five homers, .303 avg., .513 slugging, .812 OPS.

I think the large majority of fans appreciate his production on the field and his commitment off the field to the Baltimore community. Those are the fans that never call the talk shows or write on the blogs. I am glad the silent majority is out there. Wish they would speak up sometimes.

Because some of the fans doing the talking right now about Jones sound angry and, at times, ridiculous.