Welcome back to LWOS 2016 MLB Draft Coverage, the column that brings you player profiles for the next crop of professional baseball players that are likely to be selected in the upcoming draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow us on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical profiles and scouting reports. Click here to check out our complete coverage of the 2016 MLB Draft. Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for all things 2016 MLB Draft
Overview
School: Holy Ghost Prep (Langhorne, PA)
Position: Shortstop
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 220
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Nolan Jones 2016 MLB Draft Profile
Jones is one of the premier high school hitters in the draft. In his senior year (nineteen games) he is putting up absolutely obscene numbers, batting .636, with a .750 on base percentage, seventeen stolen bases, twenty-four runs batted in, and only three strikeouts. He is also a hockey player, where speed and athleticism are pivotal. Jones has tremendous power for a shortstop. That, plus his speed and on-base ability, makes him a rare and valuable commodity at the shortstop position.
Strengths:
- Impressive bat speed
- Above-average power
- High on-base percentage
- Athleticism
Weaknesses:
- Concerns about durability and longevity at shortstop
- Didn’t face top-tier competition
- Bat speed
- Swing mechanics
MLB Comparison: Alexei Ramirez
Projected Pick Range: Top 5
Most Likely Landing Spots: New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves
Bottom Line
Nolan Jones is a rarity: a shortstop with power, speed, and a penchant for getting on base. A former two-sport athlete, Jones is disciplined and athletic. He may struggle in the higher levels of the minors because of a lack of elite competition in high school. Because he put on weight in between his junior and senior year, he could move to third base or second base, but that doesn’t detract from his stock because of his numbers.
Sources: MaxPreps, Baseball America
Main Photo via YouTube.com
