Jahmai Jones

Jahmai Jones
Detroit Tigers – No. 18
Outfielder / Second baseman
Born: (1997-08-04) August 4, 1997
Roswell, Georgia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 31, 2020, for the Los Angeles Angels
MLB statistics
(through 2025 season)
Batting average.243
Home runs8
Runs batted in34
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Jahmai Fitzgerald Jones (born August 4, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder and second baseman for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Los Angeles Angels and has also played in MLB for the Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. Born in the United States, he represents the South Korea national team internationally.[1]

Early life and education

Jones attended the Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. He played football during his freshman and sophomore seasons, totaling 1,137 yards on 76 pass receptions and 12 touchdowns in those years. He then focused on baseball.[2] As a senior, he hit .464 with eight home runs, 21 runs batted in (RBIs), and 40 stolen bases and was named the Gwinnett Daily Post Baseball Player of the Year.[3] He was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the second round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.[4]

Career

Los Angeles Angels

Jones made his professional debut with the Arizona League Angels and spent all of 2015 there, posting a .244 batting average with two home runs, 20 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. In 2016, Jones started the season with the Orem Owlz and was promoted to the Burlington Bees during the season.[5] He finished 2016 batting .302 with four home runs, 30 RBI, and twenty stolen bases in 64 games between both clubs.

In 2017, Jones played for both Burlington and the Inland Empire 66ers, posting a combined .282 batting average with 14 home runs, 47 RBI, 27 stolen bases and a .794 OPS in 127 games. In 2018, Jones played with Inland and the Mobile BayBears, slashing .239/.337/.380 with 10 home runs, 55 RBI, and 24 stolen bases in 123 games.[6] In 2019, Jones spent the season with the Mobile BayBears,[7] batting .234/.308/.324 with five home runs, fifty RBI, and nine stolen bases over 130 games. Following the season, he was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Mesa Solar Sox,[8] and also, he was added to the Angels 40-man roster.[9]

On August 31, 2020, Jones made his MLB debut as a pinch runner.[10] On September 26, 2020, Jones got his first career hit off of Tony Gonsolin of the Los Angeles Dodgers.[11]

Baltimore Orioles

On February 2, 2021, Jones was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Alex Cobb.[12] He was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides to begin the season.[13] He underwent Tommy John surgery on May 27, 2022, and was designated for assignment on May 28.[14] He was released on June 3.[15] In 67 official at-bats with Baltimore in 2021, he batted .149 with three RBI, four walks, and five runs.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Jones signed a two-year minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 23, 2022.[16] In 62 games for the Triple–A Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2023, he had a .293 batting average with nine home runs and 34 RBI. On July 1, 2023, he opted out of his minor league contract and became a free agent.[17][18]

Milwaukee Brewers

On July 3, 2023, Jones signed a major league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and was added to their active roster.[19] The very same day, Jones recorded his first hit as a Brewer - a game tying, three RBI double.[20][21] In seven total games for Milwaukee, he went 2–for–10 (.200) with three RBI and one stolen base. Jones was designated for assignment on February 21, 2024, following the re–signing of Brandon Woodruff.[22][23]

New York Yankees

On February 28, 2024, Jones was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees.[24] He made the Yankees' Opening Day roster.[25] Jones hit his first major league home run on May 12.[26] In 33 games for the Yankees, he batted .238/.304/.381 with one home run, four RBI, and one stolen base. Jones was designated for assignment by New York on July 29.[27] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on August 2.[28] Jones elected free agency following the season on November 4.[29]

Detroit Tigers

On November 20, 2024, Jones signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.[30] He played in 52 games for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, slashing .276/.392/.482 with six home runs, 29 RBI, and eight stolen bases. On June 6, 2025, the Tigers selected Jones' contract, adding him to their active roster.[31] In 2025, he played primarily as a platoon outfielder and pinch hitter against left-handed pitching. He played in 72 games at the major league level, batting .287 with a .387 on-base percentage, while hitting 7 home runs with 23 RBI.

International career

Jones represents the South Korean baseball team in international events. He made his debut in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. [32]

Personal life

Jones was born in the United States, to an African American father and a Korean American mother. He was raised in Roswell, Georgia.[32] Jones's father, Andre Jones, played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions.[33] He died in 2011 due to a brain aneurysm.[34] Jones's mother, Michele Jones, was born in South Korea and adopted by a family in the U.S.[35] Jones's brother, T. J. Jones, was an NFL wide receiver.[36] His other brother, Malachi Jones, was also a wide receiver.[37]

References

  1. ^ "World Baseball Classic Roster | World Baseball Classic". www.mlb.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  2. ^ Gilberto, Gerard (November 22, 2017). "Jones finds baseball lessons in football roots". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Friedlander, David. "Baseball Player of the Year: Move to lead-off gives Wesleyan speedster Jones room to run". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  4. ^ "Angels draft high school outfielder Jahmai Jones". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  5. ^ "Toolshed: Los Angeles Angels prospect Jahmai Jones spreading wings". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "Jahmai Jones Stats, Highlights, Bio". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 8, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  7. ^ DeLine, Jessica (April 4, 2019). "Still Mobile: 2019 Mobile BayBears (AA) Preview". Halos Heaven. SB Nation. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Norris, Josh. "2019 Arizona Fall League Rosters Announced". Baseball America. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. ^ Fletcher, Jeff (November 20, 2019). "Angels add Jahmai Jones, Hector Yan to 40-man roster". Orange County Register. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  10. ^ "Mariners vs. Angels - Game Recap - August 31, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (September 27, 2020). "First MLB hits? Cool. Back to back? Wow!". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  12. ^ Meoli, Jon (February 2, 2021). "Orioles finalize Alex Cobb trade to Angels for infielder Jahmai Jones". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Wesleyan grad Jahmai Jones, playing well for Triple-A Norfolk, pushes toward MLB level". Gwinnett Daily Post. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Powtak, Ken (May 28, 2022). "Nathan Eovaldi gets 1st career complete game; Red Sox beat Orioles 5-3". Boston.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  15. ^ "Orioles release former heralded prospect Jahmai Jones". June 3, 2022. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "Jahmai Jones Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  17. ^ "Jahmai Jones: Opts out of deal". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  18. ^ "Transactions". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  19. ^ "Brewers add Jahmai Jones as Brian Anderson goes on paternity list". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  20. ^ Kertscher, Tom (July 3, 2023). "Jahmai Jones delivers 3-run double in 1st big league appearance since '21 in Brewers' win over Cubs". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  21. ^ Stebbins, Tim (July 3, 2023). "In 1st MLB at-bat in 2 years, Jones lifts Crew to dramatic comeback". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  22. ^ "Brewers sign free agent catcher Gary Sanchez to 1-year contract". ESPN.com. February 21, 2024. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  23. ^ "Brewers re-sign right-handed pitcher Brandon Woodruff". MLB.com. February 21, 2024. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  24. ^ "Press release: Yankees Claim INF Jahmai Jones". MLB.com. February 28, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  25. ^ Phillips, Gary (March 27, 2024). "Jahmai Jones ready for anything as bench bat awaits Yankees' official roster". New York Daily News.
  26. ^ "Yanks' Jones delivers Mother's Day gift with first MLB HR". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  27. ^ Castillo, Jorge (July 29, 2024). "New York Yankees activate Giancarlo Stanton from IL". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  28. ^ "Yankees Release J.D. Davis, Outright Jahmai Jones". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  29. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  30. ^ McDonald, Darragh (November 20, 2024). "Tigers Sign Jahmai Jones To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  31. ^ McDonald, Darragh (June 6, 2025). "Tigers To Select Jahmai Jones". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on June 6, 2025. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Half-Korean outfielder Jones appreciates being welcomed with open arms". The Korea Times. Yonhap. March 5, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  33. ^ Friedlander, David. "Wesleyan's Jones ready for prime time as big baseball future awaits". Gwinnett Daily Post. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  34. ^ "Former Notre Dame player Andre Jones dies at 42". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  35. ^ Petzold, Evan (March 8, 2026). "Jahmai Jones honors heroic mom in 2026 WBC after NFL dad's death". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  36. ^ Persinger, Mike (June 15, 2014). "News: Sibling revelry: Jones succeeds despite tragedy". USA Baseball. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  37. ^ Hoornstra, J.P. (March 4, 2018). "Angels prospect Jahmai Jones saw baseball as a way to forge his own identity". Whittier Daily News. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
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