As Druw Jones’ career takes off, Atlanta will always be home

It seems like every mention of Jones also requires a mention of his father: Braves legend Andruw, who was one of the most decorated players in franchise history (1996-2007) and whose No. 25 was retired last year. The younger Jones, who represented the Diamondbacks in this weekend’s Futures Game, fielded numerous questions about his father during pregame meetings with reporters. He answered them all with grace; he’s almost certainly tired of talking about it, but you wouldn’t know it from his interactions.

“I get compared all the time, but I just try to come out here and do my best and play the way I do every day,” he said. “I play my game my way and keep it that way.”

And yes, Jones prioritizes his defense, which should come as no surprise after watching his father’s illustrious career, which included winning 10 consecutive Gold Gloves. There’s a story that the older Jones was the best center fielder in history, and if he ends up in the Hall of Fame, that’ll be a big reason. It’s also the greatest quality of his son’s game. Druw admits he’s “almost too proud” of his defense.

“Sometimes I get frustrated when I think I caught a ball,” Druw said. “Sometimes there are tough plays that not many players get the chance to do. I’m very proud of that.”

Druw was named the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia, making him the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. He would have been Arizona’s top prospect (the Orioles took Jackson Holliday first overall) and generated buzz for his raw tools. But Jones’s start to the pro career was frustrating. He underwent surgery for a torn left labrum after the draft. He missed much of the 2023 campaign with quad and hamstring injuries. Jones played just 41 games over two seasons, posting a .680 OPS in the lowest three levels of the minor leagues.

That makes 2024 his first real season. Jones has finally stayed healthy and shown progress. He has an .805 OPS in 70 games, which has allowed him to perform well since a slow start in April. He remains the Diamondbacks’ third-ranked prospect, showing the immense physical ability that made him so highly regarded in the first place.

“Being healthy just means getting consistent at-bats and playing consistent games,” Jones said. “Having that consistency and being able to go out there and compete means a lot. It’s tough sometimes (to play through issues). You have to be mentally tough and come out there every day with the same mentality that you’re going to go out there and do your best, even on days when you don’t feel good. So on days when you don’t feel good, and you have 60 percent of what you have, you have to give 100 percent of that 60 percent.”

Jones praised the Diamondbacks and their coaches. They helped him adjust his approach and swing, hoping to unlock more of his power potential. Still, Jones has a clear path to being a good defensive outfielder with some power. The question is whether he can become an All-Star type player. This year was a huge step forward, just from an experience and learning standpoint, he said.

And of course, as Jones goes through good days and bad, he can count on his father as an invaluable resource. The two have a strong relationship, and Andruw helps Druw hold himself to a high standard. The elder Jones is also a foul-mouthed speaker; it’s part of their father-son dynamic.

“That’s our relationship,” Druw said. “We’re always going back and forth on stuff. MLB hit their 51st home run of the 2005 season, and then my first home run, back to back. I was like, ‘That was my first.’ And he was like, ‘That was my 51st.’ It’s stuff like that.”

Although the younger Jones admits: “I give him some credit, his swing was better.”

Maybe one day, Druw will patrol a major league outfield, too. And no matter what uniform he wears, he’ll always have Atlanta in his corner.