Cleveland Indians: Catching Up with 2016’s Top Draft Picks

Nolan Jones – 2nd round (55th overall)

The Indians stayed in the high school ranks with their second pick of the 2016 draft, taking Jones out of Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Projected as a third baseman, Jones is another left-handed bat with power potential.

“He’s a very good hitter,” Grant said. “He’s a guy who we feel is going to hit with power as well in the future. He has a plus arm – solid fielder. He’s another guy with really good makeup as well. He’s a guy that we spent a whole lot of time with.”

The 6-foot-4 Jones was the 20th-ranked prospect in the draft by MLB Pipeline, but signability concerns caused him to tumble a bit, and Cleveland pounced when he did. His signing bonus ended up being double the slot value for the 55th pick, proving that some of those pre-draft concerns were perhaps well-founded.

Much like Benson, Jones has struggled a bit at the plate for the AZL Indians, slashing .255/.389/.324 in 30 games. He has yet to homer, but has five doubles and a triple, nine RBIs, and a 45-to-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio. High school hitters often struggle in transitioning to professional ball, even at the Rookie League level, so the slow starts for Benson and Jones are not anything to panic over.

Next: Ice Cold