Holy Ghost Prep's Jones could have big decision to make
It soon will be an exciting and possibly nerve-wracking time at the Jones household in Langhorne. Holy Ghost Prep's Nolan Jones, a steadily rising shortstop with natural hitting power and arm strength, is a possible first-round selection in Major League Baseball's amateur draft on June 9.
It soon will be an exciting and possibly nerve-wracking time at the Jones household in Langhorne.
Holy Ghost Prep's Nolan Jones, a steadily rising shortstop with natural hitting power and arm strength, is a possible first-round selection in Major League Baseball's amateur draft on June 9.
And his older brother, Peyton, a standout goaltender for the United States Hockey League's Lincoln (Neb.) Stars, may hear his name called when the NHL draft takes place two weeks later.
Peyton Jones, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound netminder in his second year of junior hockey, has committed to play at Penn State next season. The 20-year-old played hockey and one year of baseball at Holy Ghost.
With impressive efforts at showcase events across the country last summer, Nolan Jones gained serious attention from major-league scouts.
Earlier this month, Baseball America rated the 6-4, 220-pound senior, who has committed to play at Virginia, the No. 16 player among its top 100 prospects in this year's draft.
"When you see that or somebody tells you about it, it's kind of crazy," Jones said. "It's unbelievable."
Jones turned heads with his size, glove, bat, and throws across the diamond at Perfect Game National, East Coast Pro, the Area Code Games, and the Perfect Game All-American Classic.
"Before that, I was never able to measure my abilities against the top players in the country," the erstwhile hockey forward said. "It was an eye-opening experience."
At the Perfect Game All-American Classic, played at San Diego's Petco Park and televised by the MLB Network, Jones delivered an RBI triple to the left-center gap in the eighth inning as his East team downed the West, 3-1.
Jones showed his bat speed against Riley Pint, a hard-throwing senior righthander from St. Thomas Aquinas in suburban Kansas City. The LSU recruit's fastball hovers between 91 and 94 mph.
"I barreled the ball up and hit it to the warning track in center," Jones said. "I was pleased I was able to handle that kind of velocity and get my bat around quickly."
Jones batted .544 with 34 runs, 28 RBIs, a .982 slugging percentage, and a .658 on-base percentage while leading Holy Ghost to a 19-4 record and a PIAA District 1 Class AAA title last season.
"He's definitely one of a kind," Firebirds first-year boss Vince Rossomando said. "He's got a great eye at the plate, a lot of power, knows how to work the count, and can hit to all fields."
The 17-year-old played the last two summers for the Philly Bandits, an elite squad that showcases amateur prospects.
"He's got a great work ethic, excellent composure, and he's a fierce competitor," Bandits coach Jon Cross said.
Also a fireballing closer for Holy Ghost, Jones, who added 35 pounds of muscle in the offseason, said he has been visited by every major-league club except the Phillies.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play professional baseball," he said. "We'll see what happens with the draft. I know I would also be very happy playing at Virginia."