Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jared Jones Makes MLB History To Start Career

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching Jared Jones performed at such a high level during Spring Training the team had no choice but to keep him on the Opening Day Roster. While there were some kinks to work out, such as some issues with control, the success Jones had in Bradenton has carried over to the regular season.

The NL Rookie of the Year race has a new contender, as Jones has come out of the gates hot for the Pirates. Jones, a second-round pick in the 2020 Amateur Draft out of La Mirada High School in California, has made three starts thus far.

In those three starts, he has gone 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA. But, the Pirates have to be excited about what the future holds as Jones has some nasty stuff that is keeping hitters off balance at the plate.

Through 18.0 innings, he has given up only 15 hits and two walks, easing some of the concerns that existed with his control. The only issue that he has run into has been giving up the long ball, as four of his 15 its allowed have been home runs.

But, that is going to happen when you are pounding the zone with fastballs for strikes as often as Jones is. Those improvements will come in time, as the Pirates have to love what they are seeing. Jones has already tallied 25 strikeouts this season, which is second in the majors behind Tyler Glasnow, who has four starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers.