Jared Jones, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ promising rookie pitcher, continues to make history, becoming only the fourth pitcher since 1893 to strike out seven batters in each of his first five career games. Jones’s impressive feat places him alongside Masahiro Tanaka (2014), Stephen Strasburg (2010), and the former Pirate José DeLeón (1983).
Jones, who exuded confidence throughout spring training, has proven that he is ready for the major leagues. In the exhibition season, he did not allow a single earned run in 16-1/3 innings, showcasing his potential early on. When asked about his journey to becoming a successful major league pitcher, Jones credits his sophomore year of high school as the turning point.
Despite Mitch Keller receiving the Opening Day assignment and the accompanying hefty contract, there is no doubt that Jones has emerged as the Pirates’ staff ace. If the team reaches their goal of making the postseason, Jones will undoubtedly be the ideal choice to start Game 1.
Jones’s regular season statistics are equally impressive. With a 2.79 ERA, 39 strikeouts in 29 innings, and a 1.2 walks per nine ratio, he has proven to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League. His ability to strike out batters at a remarkable rate, with 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings, sets him apart from his peers.
On Monday, Jones played a pivotal role in snapping the Pirates’ six-game losing streak by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2. In six innings of work, he allowed only one run on four hits while striking out seven batters. Even though Rhys Hoskins hit a home run off Jones, it was a rare occurrence for the young pitcher, who has been nearly unhittable this season.
Jones’s four-seam fastball, which he throws 49 percent of the time, averages 97.3 mph and ranks in the 97th percentile among MLB starters. His slider, thrown 40 percent of the time, averages 88.6 mph and exhibits excellent separation. He also utilizes a curveball and a changeup, making him a versatile pitcher who keeps batters off balance.
Despite his exceptional performance, Jones was controversially removed from his previous start against the New York Mets after only five innings and 59 pitches. The move raised eyebrows among fans and media critics, who questioned the decision to limit his workload so early in the season.
However, on Monday, manager Derek Shelton showed confidence in Jones, allowing him to finish the sixth inning with runners on second and third and two outs. Jones rewarded Shelton’s faith by fielding a smash and throwing to first base, ending the threat. After 91 pitches, Jones had completed his outing, and the bullpen secured the victory for the Pirates.
Jones’s emergence as a top-tier pitcher is a significant development for the Pirates, who have high hopes for the future. With Paul Skenes expected to join the team soon, the Pirates could have a formidable one-two punch on the mound, making them a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
