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Garrett Jones if/of - fa/02

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TCSteve	Garrett Jones if/of - fa/02	Lead	[-]
Posts: 976 (11/01/05 3:46 PM) Banned User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Bio and Stats for Jones at MiLB, Baseball Cube and Baseball Reference. Rochester slugger Garrett Jones continues to be among the top power hitters in the International League, having reached the 20-home run plateau last week. With the Twins needing punch in their weak-hitting lineup, could the left-handed hitting first baseman help? Not yet. Jones, 24, has not shown consistent patience at the plate, among other flaws. He had 94 strikeouts in 104 games entering Saturday, and his batting average was .239. "Knowing the strike zone and adjusting to left-handed pitching, there's a lot of things there (he needs to work on)," Ryan said. The Twins have not determined whether Jones will receive a September call-up (he did not). But he is thought of in the organization as a legitimate prospect. Does he get moved this off-season, or do we wait for him to have a better year in Rochester (with less K's and better command of strike zone) before sending elsewhere? Edit to add link
lonestar	Re: Garrett Jones	#1	[-]
Power Hitter Posts: 205 (11/01/05 6:50 PM) Power Hitter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I sure hope he gets removed from the 40-man roster.
Northern Guy	Re: Garrett Jones	#2	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1015 (11/02/05 1:56 AM) Hall of Famer Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	He won't be removed from the 40 man roster... why would they do that? A 23 year old (24 now) who hit 20+ homers at AAA? He's probably safe for now. However, he will have to step it up in 2006 in a few ways. One, he'll have to be more consistent. Two, he needs to start walking more. Three, he needs to strike out less. But again, he is still young, and worth keepin around. There are plenty others on the 40 man that the team could remove from the list without worrying about losing them. Seth Stohs SethSpeaks
TCSteve	Re: Garrett Jones	#3	[-]
Posts: 976 (11/02/05 12:38 PM) Banned User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Seth, keeping around to play where? Are we expecting Morneau to fall flat on his face? I can't see DH a possibility either, too young and undisciplined to throw into that role.
Northern Guy	Re: Garrett Jones	#4	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1015 (11/02/05 1:32 PM) Hall of Famer Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I guess by that theory they should just keep Span and Romero off the 40 man roster, and they shouldn't keep Durbin or other guys that they won't use. Of course, I hope that Morneau turns into the star that I still think he can. however, having depth, particularly depth with power (and still youth) is not a bad thing. Maybe he'll be a DH sometime in the year, or the following year. Maybe he'll be a pinch hitting option later in the season. I agree that he is too undisciplined. If he puts together a similar 2006 season, then I might drop him next year. But he's got 2 options left. doesn't hurt anything to keep him around. Thre are plenty others on the 40 man that I would drop first. (Tyler, Heintz or Bowen, Gassner). Seth Stohs SethSpeaks
alskntwnsfn	Re: Garrett Jones	#5	[-]
Posts: 1000 (11/02/05 2:13 PM) Hall of Famer Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Just a thought here... a guy who could hit 25 home runs in the DH spot... solely against right handed pitching, isn't such a bad thing, if we must. It's certainly better than carrying a 17th futility infielder. I know 'we don't do platoons' but sometimes you have to adapt. or die. My Website Twins Killings
lonestar	Re: Garrett Jones	#6	[-]
Power Hitter Posts: 205 (11/02/05 3:13 PM) Power Hitter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	*Quote:* He won't be removed from the 40 man roster... why would they do that? A 23 year old (24 now) who hit 20+ homers at AAA? He's probably safe for now. However, he will have to step it up in 2006 in a few ways. One, he'll have to be more consistent. Two, he needs to start walking more. Three, he needs to strike out less. Jones has always struck out a lot. What makes you think that is going to change? He has never walked much. What makes you think that is going to change. He has to hit .300+ to be bearable. And that's darn hard when he has such lousy command and control of the strike zone. The Twins currently have 36 men on the 40 man roster including Jones and Mulholland. Doh! I had forgotten about LeCroy's spot freeing up. So they really got 34, with 6 slots available for Romero, Span, Neshek, J. Miller, Justin Jones, and Harben. That leaves Kevin West and Ricky Barrett unprotected. You can take Balfour of the list because he's unlikely to pitch again. and there appears to be no need to protect Barrett this year. So there is no need to take Jones off the list yet. But there is no need to protect him now.
jan	Re: Garrett Jones	#7	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (11/08/05 1:57 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Six nominated for Stenson Award 11/07/2005 7:53 PM ET By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com MESA, Ariz. -- The second annual MLB.com AFL Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award will be given out in an on-field ceremony on Wednesday. On Monday, the six finalists were announced. The manager from each team was asked to nominate one player. The AFL, in conjunction with MLB.com, will select one winner from the six nominees. This year's finalists are Josh Anderson (Astros), Surprise Scorpions; Chris Denorfia (Reds), Mesa Solar Sox; Andre Ethier (A's), Phoenix Desert Dogs; Brandon Fahey (Orioles), Peoria Javelinas; Garrett Jones (Twins), Grand Canyon Rafters; and Chris Young (White Sox), Peoria Saguaros. The six were chosen not because of their statistics or on-field performances, but because they best demonstrate the qualities Stenson brought to the ballpark every day: a quiet, hard-nosed attitude, a player who does his job without complaint, who plays the game the way it was meant to be played. "It's an honor to be put in that category," said Ethier, who won Texas League Player of the Year honors as well as the league's All-Star Game MVP award and Home Run Derby. "A lot of guys here work hard. You kind of have to in order to go here." "To me, it's one of the greatest honors, greatest compliments you can get, when people appreciate the way you play the game," Denorfia said. "It's the only way I know how to play." Dernell Stenson played in the AFL as part of the Reds organization in 2003 and was having a terrific season until he was slain in Chandler on Nov. 5, 2003. "Stenson, I didn't know him very well, but I saw him play a couple of times," Ethier said. "Everything I've heard is that he was climbing up the ladder and was on the doorstep, and he did it the right way the whole time. To be put in those shoes is an honor. "I'm honored that I was nomininated from our team. We've got a lot of hard workers on the team." The reasons for choosing the nominees were universally the same -- that these prospects were unselfish, hard-working and that they displayed tremendous leadership, either by example or vocally, or both. "It's an approach ingrained in me throughout my career, first with my dad and then at Arizona State," Ethier said. "I take pride in it. It's not even something I do consciously. I never want to be complacent. "Even on a day off, I want to make sure I get my work in and stay sharp. I want to keep that hunger because I don't have the skills some of these other players have. I need to work twice as hard to compete with them." "Your work ethic always goes back to your father," Denorfria added. "It was reinforced fiercely in college. Then it just continues here. (Getting nominated) is a great compliment to all the guys who have coached me." The winner will be honored in a special on-field ceremony on Wednesday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. In addition, MLB.com will make a donation to the charity of the winner's choosing. Funds for the donation, in excess of $500, were raised through an online auction of a Derek Jeter autographed ball. Jeter played in the AFL in 1994 and is enshrined in the Fall League's Hall of Fame. "Dernell's death was a very difficult situation for the league," said Steve Cobb, AFL executive vice president, at the time of the award's inception. "We suffered a tremendous loss, but we came together as a family (in 2003). At this point, we want to remember the contributions Dernell Stenson made to this league, in his work ethic and his dedication to the game. "We think this is a fitting way to remember Dernell and we are pleased to work hand-in-hand in MLB.com to make this happen." Last year, Royals third baseman Mark Teahen became the first recipient of the award as a member of the Phoenix Desert Dogs. The other finalists were Detroit's Curtis Granderson, the Padres' Ben Johnson, the White Sox's Pedro Lopez, Freddy Sanchez of the Pirates and the Brewers' Rickie Weeks. The work ethics and attitudes of those finalists clearly reaped rewards, with all six seeing time in the big leagues during the 2005 season. "Looking back, the things the managers and coaches noticed in me benefited me," said Teahen, who hit .246 in 447 at-bats as a Royals rookie. "The hard work in the Fall League helped me out in getting to the big leagues and in getting my feet wet. "I would assume everyone in the Fall League is there for the same prupose, to get better and prepare for a higher level. Whoever wins the award isn't doing it to win an award. They're there to put in that much effort to try to become the best player they can be. When a guy really dedicates himself, sometimes it gets acknowledged." This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
jan	Re: Garrett Jones	#8	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (03/03/06 12:14 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Moved from another thread jan Moderator Posts: 11984 (8/7/05 5:13 am ) Packing power: Rochester slugger Garrett Jones continues to be among the top power hitters in the International League, having reached the 20-home run plateau last week. With the Twins needing punch in their weak-hitting lineup, could the left-handed hitting first baseman help? Not yet. Jones, 24, has not shown consistent patience at the plate, among other flaws. He had 94 strikeouts in 104 games entering Saturday, and his batting average was .239. "Knowing the strike zone and adjusting to left-handed pitching, there's a lot of things there (he needs to work on)," Ryan said. The Twins have not determined whether Jones will receive a September call-up. But he is thought of in the organization as a legitimate prospect. PiPress fmmiraclegal Moderator Posts: 1337 (8/7/05 9:47 am ) Well, I wouldn't count on him much as an outfielding prospect either. From the Democrat: Garrett Jones made two critical mental mistakes in the seventh inning to help cost the Red Wings the lead. With the tying run on second base, Bobby Darula hit a deep but catchable fly ball to left field. As Jones was settling under the ball, his legs got tangled, causing him to trip and allowing the ball to drop and the tying run to score. After a two-run single by Walter Young gave the Lynx a 6-4 lead, Jones overran a line drive by Napoleon Calzado to allow another run to score. D.
fmmiraclegal	Re: Garrett Jones	#9	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 4247 (09/03/06 8:27 AM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Slugger Jones cleans up after slow start Jim Mandelaro Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Toward the end of July, with the revamped Rochester Red Wings falling out of first place in the International League North, Garrett Jones made a decision. The first baseman went to hitting coach Rich Miller and asked about reclaiming his spot as the team's cleanup hitter. "I was in the '4' hole early in the year and was struggling," Jones says. "I went down to sixth and started hitting the ball better. I think (manager Stan Cliburn) thought I was comfortable there, but that wasn't the case." The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Jones is comfortable when he can shoulder the load, and with a mass exodus to the Minnesota Twins, the new-look Wings needed someone to pick them up. Jones wanted to be that man. Cliburn moved him back to the fourth spot, and Jones really did clean up, batting .284 with 5 home runs and 25 RBI in August. The Wings regrouped, and on Friday night they clinched their first IL playoff berth in nine seasons. If you question whether there's a cause and effect here, just ask the staff. "Jonesy is without a doubt my team MVP," Cliburn says. "He's Rich Miller's MVP. And he's (pitching coach) Stu Cliburn's MVP. He's done it all year for us." Jones may be batting just .239, but his 20 homers lead the team and his 91 runs batted in rank second in the IL to league MVP Kevin Witt of Durham (99). He also has played in 138 of Rochester's 141 games, the most of any player in the IL. "I feel like he's tearing it up this year," Stan Cliburn says. "He's not going to be a big average hitter. But he can hit .260 for what he does with that bat." This is Jones' second season with the Wings. Last year he hit .244 and led all Minnesota Twins minor-leaguers with 24 homers. He also drove in 72 runs. With a certain American League MVP candidate named Justin Morneau manning first base for the Twins, it's no surprise that Minnesota has asked Jones to play some outfield in the past two seasons. Jones is friends with Morneau and says he is thrilled about his success. "I can't worry about him," Jones says. "I'm playing for the Twins, but I'm playing for every other team, too. If I hit, good things will happen." Jones grew up on the south side of Chicago and was a huge White Sox fan. He was selected out of Andrew High School by the Braves in the 14th round of the 1999 draft, at the ripe young age of 18. He spent parts of three seasons in their minor-league system and struggled to a .236 average and just six homers in 126 total games. In June 2001, he was leading off first base for Single-A Danville when he was nailed below his ear on a pickoff attempt. The blow shattered his jaw on both sides, and it was wired shut for six weeks. He ate only yogurt and lost 15 pounds. Jones was released in May 2002 and signed by the Twins. With a new start, his power numbers began to take off: 10 homers for Single-A Quad Cities in 2002, 18 for Single-A Fort Myers in '03 and a combined 31 for Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain in 2004, when he drove in 98 runs. Cliburn managed Jones at New Britain that season and received a surprise phone call from Jeff Jones, Garrett's dad, at the end of the season. "He called and said, 'Stan, I want to thank you for my son,'" Cliburn recalls. "I said, 'No, Mr. Jones, that boy drove in all those runs himself,' and he said 'I'm not talking about home runs and RBI. I feel like I have a new son. He's more outgoing, more out of his shell.' Hearing that meant a lot to me." Two years later, Jones is leading the charge as the Wings prepare for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a best-of-five series that begins Wednesday night at Frontier Field. Jones' defense has improved dramatically. He made 17 errors in 122 games at New Britain two years ago, a high number for a first baseman. Last year, he cut that to 12. This year? Just nine. "I pride myself on it," he says. "If you're not hitting, maybe you can save a run or two." He also has improved against left-handed pitchers, to the point where he is hitting better against southpaws (.252) than right-handers (.233). And he's hitting in the clutch, batting .289 with runners on base. "It seems like if we have men on, I get a hit," says Jones, who plans to play winter ball before heading to Twins camp in Fort Myers next spring. Tonight, the Wings will announce their 2006 team MVP based on voting by fans and the front office. Jones is the top candidate, and he already has his manager's vote. "I don't know where we'd be without him," Cliburn says. Garrett Jones Age: 25 (he's five weeks younger than Twins 1B Justin Morneau). Height/weight: 6-feet-4/244 pounds. Position: First base. Roots: Grew up in Tinley Park. Ill., 25 miles south of Chicago. Boyhood idol: Frank Thomas. September 3, 2006 Dianna
fmmiraclegal	Re: Garrett Jones - IF - FA/02	#10	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 4247 (09/03/06 8:30 AM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jones merits MVP honors He's carrying Wings offense during drive for playoffs Bob Matthews Rochester Democrat & Chronicle There is no shortage of candidates for Rochester Red Wings Most Valuable Player this season, but my choice is slugging first baseman Garrett Jones, who entered Friday night leading the International League in games (137) and ranked second in RBI (91). He also leads the team with 20 home runs. After most of Rochester's other offensive top guns were promoted to Minnesota, Jones was the steady run-producer in the team's push for a playoff berth. In the 25 previous games entering Friday night, he hit .291 (32-for-110), with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HRs and 24 RBI. His batting lines the last two years for the Wings in some ways were similar, but he had more clutch hits and waited out more walks to slightly boost his on-base percentage this season: 2005 .244 (119-for-488), 22 doubles, 2 triples, 24 HRs, 72 RBI, 36 walks, 109 strikeouts and a .297 on-base percentage in 134 games. 2006 .241 (124-for-515), 32 doubles, 3 triples, 20 HRs, 91 RBI, 49 walks, 116 strikeouts and a .305 on-base percentage in 137 games. Jones is 25 and currently on Minnesota's 40-man roster. He could be a Red Wing again next season if he doesn't stick with Minnesota or isn't traded. Rochester's "Mr. Baseball," Joe Altobelli, thinks Jones could "tear up the league." Dianna
fmmiraclegal	Re: Garrett Jones - IF - FA/02	#11	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 4247 (09/14/06 5:35 AM) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	With bat or glove, Jones is Mr. Sept. Defensive feats, homer continue red-hot streak Jim Mandelaro Rochester Democrat & Chonicle There is hot, there is torrid and then there is Red Wings first baseman Garrett Jones. S-s-m-m-o-k-i-ng. Jones hit only .238 during the regular season, but he's batting .550 in the postseason, with two home runs and nine RBI. He belted a three-run homer to left in the third inning on Wednesday night to power Rochester's 6-1 win over Toledo in Game 2 of the Governors' Cup finals. The next time up, he was walked intentionally with first base open in the fifth. He finished 2-for-2 with two walks. "He is so relaxed," Wings manager Stan Cliburn said. "When he starts hitting homers to the opposite field, you've got a dangerous hitter there." Jones performed well with his glove, too. He speared Jack Hannahan's hard shot to force Josh Phelps at second base in the fourth, then raced to within 5 feet of home plate to catch Mike Hessman's high pop on the next play. In the fifth, he dived to stop David Espinosa's grounder. Dianna
jan	RWB Interview	#12	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (02/11/07 10:43 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	FURIOUS 5 INTERVIEW: GARRETT JONES It's the RedWingsBaseball.com Furious 5: five minutes with a Red Wings player - past, present or future - and a non-stop, fast and furious, Ramones-like barrage of at least 15 minutes' worth of questions packed into one interview. Some questions are serious, some are not - follow along as the player tries to determine which questions are which. The Player: 1B/OF Garrett Jones Furious 5 Interview Date: 1/27/07, TwinsFest 2007 at the Metrodome Length of Interview: 5 minutes Number of Questions asked: 24 Garrett Jones has put together two of the best back-to-back slugging seasons in Frontier Field history. After an impressive rookie season at Triple-A in 2005 (22 doubles, 24 HR, 72 RBI), Jones stepped up his game in almost every way while providing leadership and clutch performances for the 2006 playoff club. His 21 homers tied for best in the Minnesota organization, while his 92 RBI was tops in the system and second in the International League. He is the first Red Wing to hit at least 20 home runs in back-to-back seasons since Don Baylor (1970-1971). Jones hit .406 in 9 post-season games (13-32) with 3 HR and 10 RBI. He followed up by hitting .281 with a club-best eight homers and 26 RBI for Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League in the off-season. Originally drafted by Atlanta, Jones was signed as a minor league free agent by Minnesota in May of 2002. He became the third player in history of the Midwest League to hit four homers in one game on July 14, 2002. Jones has been on Minnesota's 40-man big league roster the past two seasons, and should be the Wings' first baseman and cleanup hitter in 2007. This interview was conducted by RedWingsBaseball.com's Nick Sciarratta, in the Red Wings booth on the field at the Metrodome during TwinsFest 2007; Rachel Askin assisted in the preparation of this feature. RedWingsBaseball.com: It was a great 2006 season, for the team of course and for you personally... I last saw you after the final game of the playoffs, in the clubhouse at six o'clock Sunday morning when the bus came back from Toledo. Where did you go from there, and how did you spend that next week after the season ended? Garrett Jones: After we lost, I drove home that day and the next week I took it easy for a while. I was leaving for Venezuela (to play winter ball) about three weeks after the season so I was just resting up, getting ready for that. RWB: Your favorite moment from the 2006 season? GJ: Probably when we advanced to the Championship series after beating the Red Barons. That series was a big win over Scranton and it was a lot of fun. RWB: Did you ever see that picture we took of you, you hit a home run the night The Famous Chicken was here ...the picture's of you coming back to the dugout, and The Chicken's holding up his "Employee of the Month" sign. Did you ever see that picture? GJ: Yeah, that's a good picture. I was looking up after I hit the home run, and The Chicken was there and he held up that sign... it's a good picture. RWB: Tell me a first year rookie ball horror story. I know you actually came up in the Braves organization. GJ: Well, I was drafted by the Braves and I had a roughs stint over there. My second year in rookie ball I broke my jaw and it was just a rough three years over there. But I came over here and everything's starting to work out. RWB: Complete this sentence: Most people don't know that I... GJ: Let's see... Most people don't know that I am a good basketball player. RWB: Do you do your own laundry? GJ: No. RWB: Water or Gatorade? GJ: Water. RWB: What unique-to-Rochester things have you had a chance to try in the last couple of years? Have you had a white hot dog? GJ: No, I haven't. I gotta try one of those. RWB: How about Abbott's Frozen Custard down at the lake? GJ: Haven't tried that either. I'm going to have to do all that stuff. RWB: "CSI" or "American Idol"? What type of TV entertainment person are you? GJ: I'd have to say "American Idol" is pretty entertaining, with the bad singers the first couple weeks. RWB: What's the last karaoke song you sang? GJ: "The Gambler", Kenny Rogers. RWB: What music do you like to listen to to get pumped up before a game? GJ: Probably a little hard rock, some rap, I like to mix it up every now and then depending on how I feel. RWB: How many email accounts do you own? GJ: Just one. RWB: Who owns the domain name GarrettJones.com? GJ: I have no idea, I didn't even know there was one. RWB: What's the last animated show you watched? GJ: Probably Finding Nemo. RWB: Favorite website? GJ: YouTube.com RWB: Dogs or cats? GJ: Dogs. RWB: Seeds or bubble gum? GJ: Seeds. RWB: Who's more of an athlete, a pro golfer or a pro wrestler? GJ: Pro wrestler. RWB: What musician or singer have you ever wanted to be, for a day, for a concert? GJ: Probably just a hard rocker. RWB: What's more exciting: hearing the umpire say, "Play ball!" or hearing Maury Povich say, "Kevin, you ARE the father!"? GJ: Hearing "Play ball!" RWB: If you were forced to sit in a hot tub with Rosie O'Donnell, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers, who'd be the first one you would ask to leave and why? GJ: Probably Rosie O'Donnell because I think her voice kinda gets on my nerves sometimes. RWB: And who'd be the last one in the hot tub left with you? GJ: Probably Oprah, because she's a pretty interesting woman and she'd be fun to talk to. RWB: There's this trend of taking great cartoons and making bad live action movies from them - "Scooby Doo," "The Flintstones," "Rocky and Bullwinkle"... Eventually we're going to see a live action version of "Beavis and Butt-head." Who are the candidates from the Red Wings' clubhouse this year to perhaps play lead roles in that movie? GJ: I think J.D. Durbin could probably play Beavis and, let's see... I think either me or the Boof could play Butthead. It'd be pretty funny. RWB: Okay, one last question: your favorite Hilton sister, and why? GJ: Probably Nikki Hilton because she's not in the press as much as Paris, and Paris kind of has a bad rap going for her.
ferd the moon cat	Re: Garrett Jones - IF - FA/02	#13	[-]
5-Tool Player Posts: 305 (02/12/07 2:05 PM) Power Hitter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'll never get these 3 minutes of my life back.
jan	Re: Garrett Jones	#14	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (02/23/07 6:14 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	*Quote:* First baseman Garrett Jones has been moved to the outfield. Something about a Canadian in his way. LEN3
melshmeister	Re: Garrett Jones - IF - FA/02	#15	[-]
Power Hitter Posts: 240 (03/02/07 11:29 AM) Contact Hitter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Isn't GJ out of options?
jan	Re: Garrett Jones - IF - FA/02	#16	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (03/03/07 9:08 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jones is still on the 40-man roster and has been signed to a one-year contract.
Northern Guy	Re: Garrett Jones - IF - FA/02	#17	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 1015 (03/03/07 4:35 PM) Hall of Famer Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	No, he should be able to be sent to the minors throughout this season. He would be out of options next spring. Seth Stohs SethSpeaks
jan	Re: Garrett Jones	#18	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (03/28/07 7:07 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Jones could set a Wings home run record Jim Mandelaro Staff writer (March 28, 2007) After clinching a playoff berth three days before the season ended last year, the Rochester Red Wings limped into the postseason. After a Saturday rainout, they were outscored 13-1 in two losses to International League North champion Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Included was a no-hitter thrown by Scranton's Jeremy Cummings. The Wings needed a wakeup call, and Garrett Jones provided it. The powerful first baseman hit a blazing .406 with three home runs and 10 RBI in nine postseason games as the Red Wings toppled Scranton before losing in five games to Toledo in the Governors' Cup finals. "I felt I should have been swinging that way all year,'' said Jones, who hit just .238 during the season. "It was better than never.'' Jones continued his hot hitting in Venezuela this winter, batting .280 and belting eight homers in 115 at-bats while earning all-star honors. Some might think Jones is trying to climb a mountain while wearing slippers, given that American League MVP Justin Morneau holds down first base for the Minnesota Twins. But the Twins don't have an abundance of power hitters, making Jones an attractive option. "He has just as much power as Morneau,'' said former Red Wings manager Phil Roof, an instructor with the Twins this spring. "He just needs to find a way to do it consistently. And I think he will.'' The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Jones has worked hard to improve defensively at first and is much better than when he first arrived in Rochester. Still, he says the Twins have told him he will "mostly" play outfield this season, and he expects to play right field "four or five times a week." He's not going kicking and screaming, either. "The more spots I can play the better,'' he said. "It means a lot to me that the Twins are willing to move me to the outfield with Morneau there. It gives me a chance to make the (big-league) team, as long as I can hit the ball. If you do that, they'll make a spot for you.'' This will be Jones' third season in Rochester. And while he hasn't exactly competed for the batting title, hitting .244 in 2005 and .238 last year, his power numbers have been strong. He hit 24 homers with 72 RBI in '05 and 21 homers and 92 RBI last year. Jones is the first Red Wing to hit at least 20 homers in back-to-back seasons since the legendary Don Baylor did it in 1970 and '71. No player in the franchise's illustrious history has ever recorded three consecutive 20-homer seasons. Jones strikes out a lot (every 3.8 at-bats for his career) with a career .246 average, but when he connects there is a "no-doubt-about-it" feel to his homers. The Wings figure to be like the Twins: good hitters, but few power hitters. The left-handed Jones has a chance to be an impact player again. This will be Jones' ninth pro season, yet he's still only 25. He hit 14 homers as a senior for Andrew High School in suburban Chicago and signed with Purdue University. But when the Atlanta Braves made him their 14th-round pick in the 1999 draft, he turned pro. Jones hit only six homers in his first three seasons, which actually totaled just 126 games, and was released by the Braves in May 2002. He was signed by the Twins three days later, and his power numbers began to take flight: 10 homers in 2002, 18 in 2003, a career-high 31 in 2004 and then his 24-21 seasons for the Wings. It would be easy for someone like Jones to become frustrated at his lack of progress in the Twins' system, but he keeps plugging along in a quiet, businesslike manner. "I understand what I need to do. I just need to do it,'' he said. "I'm the only one keeping myself back. If I hit, I think the Twins will give me another chance. Jones and his girlfriend, Angela, were engaged Dec. 9. The wedding probably won't be for two years, as Jones focuses on baseball and Angela completes her college education. By then, he could be swatting those no-doubters over big-league fences. JMAND@DemocratandChronicle.com
jan	Re: Garrett Jones	#19	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (05/06/07 5:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Garrett Jones is the Twins Minor League Player of the Month for April...Jones, 25, batted .338 (23-for-68) with six doubles, three home runs and 15 rbi...he also scored nine times in his 17 games...(redwingsbaseball)
jan	Re: Garrett Jones	#20	[-]
Hall of Famer Posts: 21081 (05/13/07 5:04 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	*Quote:* The Twins have called up first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Jones from Class AAA Rochester. Jones is batting .305 for the Red Wings with 5 homers and 23 RBI. They tried switching him to the outfield during spring training, but I cant stress enough how raw he looked. Jones will give the Twins another position player for about a week. No word yet on who will take Ponsons place in the rotation. That spot in the rotation wont come up until Saturday. LEN3

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Garrett Jones if/of - fa/02

Garrett Jones if/of - fa/02

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