The Angels have signed first baseman/outfielder Taylor Jones to a minor league contract, according to Jones’ official MLB.com profile page. Jones entered into minor league free agency after turning down an outright assignment from the Giants back in November.
Jones (who turned 29 last month) has appeared in each of the last three MLB seasons, all with the Astros. Of his 131 career plate appearances, 108 came in the 2021 campaign — Jones had only 22 PA in his 2020 debut season and then made just one plate appearance in a single big league game in 2022. Jones was hampered by a back injury that kept him from game action until June of last season, and though he still had solid Triple-A numbers, Houston designated him for assignment in September and the Giants claimed Jones into their organization.
Jones has only a .234/.260/.395 slash line to show for his 131 PA in the Show, but his bat has been much more productive in Triple-A ball. Jones has hit .279/.377/.485 with 49 home runs over 1257 PA at the Triple-A level, though with the caveat that Jones has likely gotten some benefit from playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
That PCL tenure will continue with the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, and Jones can provide the Halos with some depth at multiple positions. Jones has played mostly first base over his career, but has also seen some time as a third baseman and a corner outfielder (primarily in left field). Los Angeles is already pretty deep in right-handed bats and Shohei Ohtani’s presence pretty much rules out DH opportunities, though depending on how the Angels juggle their roster, Jones might find a niche as a right-handed complement to Jared Walsh, who is slated to be the regular first baseman.
Wow!
When in doubt, take the Astros and Rays guys.
The guy got himself a ring for 1 at-bat! Only in America!
He looks like a good depth piece to have.
Jones cannot play 3b. He has been positioned there, but he cannot play there. And not just because he’s 6’7”, he’s legitimately terrible there.
Solely 1b and LF
GO ZAGS. He had a lively arm as a pitcher back in the day as a freshman. The debate among Washington baseball people was whether he would play as a pitcher or hitter. He is a great athlete and beloved among the Zag community as a great kid
I haven’t seen him play very often, but when I did i instantly thought that he had to have been a decent pitcher in the past.
You don’t play baseball for that long with that frame without multiple coaches “strongly suggesting” you try it out.
Go Zags
This is the guy we sign?! Never even heard of Jons Taylor! Not resigning Shohey Otani or getting a starting pitcher? This is it? Fire Eppler!
Name choice #fail
Looks like a Platoon player against LHP.
Obviously, you are not following the Angels that closely, and/or have problem with players names. Have you heard of Taylor Jones? I also have never heard of Jons Taylor. Shohei Ohtani is misspelled, and Billy Eppler is now with the Mets, unless that is you think Carlos Correa should have been signed.
I know, you are just being sarcastic
Figured that out kinda late!
Bauer?- Guilty as charged. All I can say is that I am on medication for an infection. I clicked post went to the restroom and my palm went to my forehead. I saw the timer run out as I got to my post. Oh well. I actually enjoyed your post once I looked at it a second time.
*Big poop-eating grin*
I’s okay; I’m on medication for a large abscess within the cranium.
Angles suck. Worst team in all of baseball. You have Ohtani and Trout yet can’t even play above .500 ball.
Excellent take!
Agree!
Keen insight. You are an amazing intellect.
Buzz Killington
You should read the book baseball for dummies
Worst poster on MLBTR
Trout and Ohtani Ohtani have played exactly ZERO full seasons together.
You people are idiots.
Halo: and who’s fault is that? Add to evergrowing list of Angels incompetance, below average Athletic Trainers and Sports Medicine.
Thanks for proving the original point!
@Halo11Fan When you’re supposed to make the playoffs but continually fail while having two top 5 players is sad. They spend a lot too and gave Rendon $245 million and still fail. Other teams lose players to injury as well. Such a failure of a team and waste of Trouts talent.