Damon Jones
Born:
09/30/1994 (Age: 29)
Bats:
Left
Throws: Left
Arm Slot: High 3/4
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 225
Primary Position: LHSP
Seconday Position: LHRP
Throws: Left
Arm Slot: High 3/4
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 225
Primary Position: LHSP
Seconday Position: LHRP
Acquisition Period:
18th Rd., 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft (PHI)
Entry Point: 4 Yr College
Options Used: N/A
Entry Point: 4 Yr College
Options Used: N/A
Report Info
| Evaluator: | Adam McInturff |
| Report Date: | June 6th, 2019 |
| Dates Seen: | 2x -- May 2019 |
| Level: | High A |
| Affiliate: | Clearwater Threshers |
| MLB Team: |
|
| On 40-Man Roster: | No |
Physical Description
XL frame, broad and thick build. Durable but limited athlete.
Mechanical Notes
NWU, stretch only; tall leg kick, long stride that lands hard; finishes w/ thwack and overall effort. Slight tilt to clear arm through H3/4 slot. Noise in delivery limits consistency of control, occasionally causes stuff to tail off later in outings. Impacts him less in relief role.
| MLB ETA | Present Role | Future Role | Role Description | Risk | 2020 | P | 40 | Swingman | Moderate |
|---|
| Pitch | Present | Future | Sitting | Range | Comments |
| Fastball Value | |||||
| Overall Fastball Value | 50 | 55 | — | — | LH velocity and ability to throw basic strikes play FB to avg right now. Chance to be 55-grade pitch airing it out in short stints. |
| LH velocity and ability to throw basic strikes play FB to avg right now. Chance to be 55-grade pitch airing it out in short stints. | |||||
| Fastball Velocity | 55 | 60 | 93-94 | 92-97 | Tightened up his frame going into this year and is showing newfound velocity. T96-97 early in starts, tails off to 92-94 range as pitch count rises. Could be plus if ever in short-stint role. |
| Fastball Velocity | |||||
| Fastball Movement | |||||
| Fastball Movement | 50 | 50 | — | — | 4sm FB w/ occasional burst through the zone. Can wrinkle cut-type variant or sinkers, best movement when low in the zone. |
| 4sm FB w/ occasional burst through the zone. Can wrinkle cut-type variant or sinkers, best movement when low in the zone. | |||||
| Fastball Command | |||||
| Fastball Command | 40 | 45 | — | — | Consistent strikes w/ FB, has command of armside. Really struggles to go across the plate. Creeps up as outings go on, high maintenance delivery limits ability to pitch to spots regularly. Less of an issue pitching in relief. |
| Consistent strikes w/ FB, has command of armside. Really struggles to go across the plate. Creeps up as outings go on, high maintenance delivery limits ability to pitch to spots regularly. Less of an issue pitching in relief. | |||||
| Slider | |||||
| Slider | 45 | 45 | 83-84 | 81-85 | Slurvy, three-quarters breaker. Able to change shape w/ intent, can make it like a CB at low end of velo range and SL-like at 84-85. |
| Slurvy, three-quarters breaker. Able to change shape w/ intent, can make it like a CB at low end of velo range and SL-like at 84-85. | |||||
| ChangeUp | |||||
| ChangeUp | 40 | 40 | 85-86 | 85-88 | Firm CH w/ inconsistent feel, uses sparingly. Occasional slight action to armside. Below-avg pitch, will need to find a way to improve to face lineups numerous times. |
| Firm CH w/ inconsistent feel, uses sparingly. Occasional slight action to armside. Below-avg pitch, will need to find a way to improve to face lineups numerous times. | |||||
| Control | |||||
| Control | 40 | 45 | — | — | Blows FB by A-Ball hitters but would need to sequence off-speed more as SP at higher levels. Can keep FB+SL around the zone early, strikethrowing gets shakier as outings go on. Needs more third pitch, though moving to a non-starting role lessens pressure on arsenal depth. |
| Blows FB by A-Ball hitters but would need to sequence off-speed more as SP at higher levels. Can keep FB+SL around the zone early, strikethrowing gets shakier as outings go on. Needs more third pitch, though moving to a non-starting role lessens pressure on arsenal depth. | |||||
| Attribute | Present | Future |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Below Average | Average |
| Athleticism | Below Average | Below Average |
| Pitchability | Below Average | Average |
| Mound Presence | Plus | Plus |
Overall Summary
Velocity and advanced two-pitch mix can get him to the big leagues, though mechanical effort and lack of third pitch could limit effectiveness in SP role. Best-case upside of #5 SP; more likely hard-throwing lefty 'pen piece or versatile multi-inning swingman. Polished, high-floor arm that could move quickly.
