Jones Pitching Well in Trenton

Yankee pitching prospect off to a good start with the Double-A Thunder

By: Kenny Barto

May 7, 2008 – Trenton right-handed pitcher, Jason Jones is having a phenomenal start, better than anyone would have predicted. "A lot of the credit has to go to our pitching coach, Scott Aldred," Jones said. "As a staff, he always has us meet together, and have a proper game plan going in." So far this season Jason Jones has the least amount of earned runs in the Trenton rotation. Through 6 starts he is 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA, and has given up 34 hits through 37 innings.

               Jason Jones had a similar first half last year, going 8-4 with a 2.45 ERA. He threw 14 innings to start the season and gave up only 1 run, and was named Eastern League pitcher of the week in July when he went 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA. However, the rehab starts Phil Hughes made threw him off. "I had two consecutive outings in Reading where I pitched really well, then I get bumped because Hughes came in." "I'm just a little guy, a fourth rounder, so of course I'm the odd man out, so it was kind of expected." Jones ended up going 8-11 with a 3.62 ERA. "When the organization seems to lose confidence in you, you lose confidence in yourself, and you always go out with something to prove, and it didn't always end well."

               Manager Tony Franklin enjoys having Jason Jones on the team. "He gave us some good innings last year, and he's come back this year pitching well." Coach Franklin was also caught up in the politics of the organization, and had his hands tied when the rehab starts came last year. "It's a part of the game," Franklin said. "However, everyone is aware of their talent and their presence and as long as they pitch well, they will get noticed."

               After the weak ending to last year's season, Jones has bounced back, and is a veteran to the Trenton rotation. He has been here since the end of 2006, and knows his way around the Eastern League. He also tries to be the mentor to the younger players on the team. "I teach these guys a lot about the differences of the hitters from the Florida State League to the Eastern League." So far the Trenton staff has done well behind pitchers like Jason Jones and Dan McCutchen. As a team, Trenton has the least walks, 2nd most strikeouts, and is 3rd in earned run average.

               With the start Jones is having, and looking at the Yankees pitching staff, it might not be too far to wonder if we'll see him in New York. "I know I can pitch in the big leagues right now," Jones said. "It takes a bit longer in this organization, but you can't lose sight of that."