Pittsburgh Pirates select Texas RHP signee Jared Jones with 44th overall pick

The second Texas Longhorns signee selected in the 2020 MLB Draft came off the board early in the second round on Thursday when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected La Mirada (Cali.) right-handed pitcher Jared Jones with the 44th overall pick.

Jones entered the draft ranked as the No. 41 player by Baseball America, so it’s not surprising that he went when he did.

If there’s a knock on Jones, it’s that he doesn’t have the big frame of most highly-drafted pitcher, as he’s listed at 6’1, 180 pounds, but he has a big-time arm and provides additional value for a National League team like the Pirates because he’s also an accomplished player in the batter’s box.

“Jared is possibly the most talented two-way player in the country,” Texas recruiting coordinator Sean Allen said when Jones signed last fall. “He is the number one ranked right-handed pitcher in California, one of the top ranked overall players in the country and a 40-man roster invite for USA Baseball National Team. He pitches in the mid 90’s and has touched 99 mph. Offensively he has huge power, can run, and play both outfield and infield. Jared’s best attribute is his desire to win and compete at the highest level.”

The approximate pick value for the 44th pick is $1.69 million.