Hunter Jones

[Dojji]

http://spankeesyuck.com/redsox2008/images/2008-Hunter_Jones.jpg

Age: 25

Bats: L
Throws: L

Scouting report:

Scouting Report: Big, tough lefty who can go a lot of innings out of the pen. Above average command, deceptive delivery. Goes right at hitters. Utilizes a 88-91 mph two-seam fastball and a tough slider, which is rather new to his arsenal. Used to have a circle change and a curveball, but starting in 2007 he nixed the changeup, and the curve basically developed into a low 80s slider - almost a slurve-type pitch. Good composure on the mound, works well with men on base and in pressure situations. Great success against righties, but not all that effective against lefties. Has not been used as a lefty specialist in the past, and due to his reverse split he does not project to be used in that capacity in the future. Good fielder. Missed a lot of time in college with a fractured arm. Had successful surgery, but due to health concerns Jones went undrafted.

Jones is a HORSE. In his last 3 years he has thrown 94, 102, and 82 innings -- and maintained a K rating of 8+ each year with that workload and averaging (obviously) well over an inning pitched in very regular appearances. If he could do this in the big leagues he could become that holy grail of pitchers, the dynamic multiple inning middle reliever that can take pressure off the setup corps and hold a lead when a starter goes 5 and out and stop us from having to use valuable relievers in junktime innings as well..

He's having a nice spring too. 5 strikeouts and 2 runs allowed in 6 innings of work.

This guy isn't as flashy as Dan Bard, but he's an undarafted free agent who's earned the right to be on the depth chart through a lot of hard work and we will almost definitely see him in Boston this year.

[BoSox21]

What are the odds Tazawa would get the nod if there was an open spot in the bullpen over Jones or Bard?

[Dojji]

I'd say that once we have a baseline for what Tazawa brings at the AA level we'll know a lot better. Right now it's hard to say what Tazawa really is and how much of his good Spring performance is just a Spring Training illusion combined with the league not being familiar with him. I've heard a lot of good things about Tazawa but I don't think we are in a position where we need to jump the gun -- we can afford to go softly.

Statistically speaking, Jones is the guy who's least likely to crap the bed right now if we're basing it off previous season numbers rather than spring figures, If we have an injury after Spring cuts and before Bard proves himself I think we see Jones.

[jacksonianmarch]

What are the odds Tazawa would get the nod if there was an open spot in the bullpen over Jones or Bard?

Zero, IMO. Tazawa could be much better than just a pen arm. I think they'll figure that out in the minors and then bring him up once he establishes his arsenal

[Dipre]

Zero, IMO. Tazawa could be much better than just a pen arm. I think they'll figure that out in the minors and then bring him up once he establishes his arsenal

Jacko's being objective here, people.

Plus respect for him.

[a700hitter]

I don't know if Jones will get any time with the big club this season, but I think Bard and Tazawa will get the call when the bullpen starts showing some wear and tear.

[Dojji]

Bard maybe, but I doubt Tazawa. At least I don't think you can count on the guy yet.

THing with Jones is that he's ready now. Tazawa isn't ready, Bard may or may not be. And if you want a guy who you can call up to take a lot of pressure off the pen... well... I refer you to Jones' inning totals again. Guy's used to a heavy workload.

[ORS]

With the amount of talent in the MLB 'pen, if there is a need for Hunter Jones to come in an take some pressure off that group, then the season is pretty much going to suck. This isn't really arguable.

[Dojji]

With the amount of talent in the MLB 'pen, if there is a need for Hunter Jones to come in an take some pressure off that group, then the season is pretty much going to suck. This isn't really arguable.

Umm... what? I'm sorry, I think you're mistaking Jones for Billy Traber. Guy's a legitimate prospect, he's got the numbers and he's got the stuff to be a very effective RP.

Jones might not have the flashy fastball, but he's got great strikeout numbers, good command, his rate stats have been stable as he's advanced over the last 3 years, and he gets the job done over a lot of innings. There is no fluke here. There's no reasonable argument that he can't do the job in the big leagues and won't be until he gets his chance and we see what he does with it. You can't say that about Tazawa (unproven in US ball) or Bard (bad command last year).

With Saito having documented elbow problems, Papelbon showing distinct signs of wear at the end of last year, Oki getting older and Ramon Ramirez being a bit of a wild card with 2 great years and a sucktastic one, I'm really not sure you can say that Jones will only be up in a "season goes to hell" scenario. If we run into problems in April and May before Bard and Tazawa really establish themselves he's probably the first guy up.

[ORS]

I didn't say anything about the legitimacy of his prospect status. To me, when you say "take some pressure off" the current BP, that means innings with some LEV. For him to get innings with some LEV, you are talking about 5 or 6 better relievers who have faltered. This is what I mean by the season being a suckfest. Now, if you mean "pitch some slop innings" when you say take pressure off the BP, then I'll agree, but those innings aren't really pressure packed.

[Dojji]

Well, when I said pressure I was thinking of the weight of the grind of the season. But with that said I don't want to take the concept of Jones pitching close and late off the table entirely either. He's a talented pitcher.

[Dojji]

Called up in the wake of Matsuzaka's trip to the DL. Another young reliever with plenty of innings in his arm gets to play in Boston.

Possible that he gets to debut for the right to turn Javier Lopez into trade fodder? A bullpen with Jones at the bottom of it seems stronger to me than one with Lopez.

[BoSox21]

I dont know, im convinced Lopez has pictures of Francona with a mistress or something at this point

[Dojji]

Unspectacularly solid MLB debut. Got 2 quick ground ball out, worked around an error on what should have been a third, and finished the inning on a routine flyout to left.

Doesn't really signify anything. But it was a definite contrast to Lopez' struggles in his own inning. Looking forward to seeing more from the guy soon, although hopefully in non-leverage innings for now.