Sam
Jones

3.17.18 - Indiana commit. Full write up from a previous game can be found in the Scout Blog below. Continued to show well against O’Fallon on Saturday. Jones finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a home run. Worked a long, quality at-bat before getting an elevated fastball and smoking a no-doubt home run over the left-field wall. Quiet setup, smooth load, minimal wasted movement and loose, quick hands at the plate.

3.16.18 - Indiana commit. 6-foot, 175-pound, athletically built, right-handed hitting infielder. Looks noticeably stronger than our last look. Offensively, finished the day 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Balanced, square setup; relaxed and quiet in the box. Loose, athletic hands, creates bat speed and bat stays through the hitting zone a long time. Defensively, sure handed, clean exchange and makes all the routine plays.

3.21.17 - Indiana commit. 6-foot, 175-pound infielder with lean strength. Offensively, stood out with the bat on a day that was not conducive for offense. Right-handed hitter, loose hands, creates whip in swing, and looks to attack the fastball. Gap-to-gap approach with good feel for the barrel. In second at-bat squared up a ball and lined it right at the left fielder. In his final at bat of the day, stayed on a pitch out over the plate and lined a double into right-center field. Defensively, has versatility to play anywhere on the infield. Played third on this afternoon. Hands are soft, fundamentally sound, efficient defender, never seems to be in a hurry, accurate arm. Made a slow roller play look easy on a ball pushing him towards the third base line. Currently ranked No. 35 in the Illinois’ 2018 class.

12.13.16 - Verbally committed to Indiana.

8.12.16 - 6-foot, 170-pound, lean, middle-infielder. Ranked No. 32 in the 2018 Illinois Class. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm; exit velocity clocked at 78 mph. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchange, fields position athletically. Long, loose accurate arm from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 81 mph across the diamond. 4.57 home to first time.

Future Games 2016 - 6-foot, 170-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder with plenty of room for continued physical development. Steady defender on the infield, fundamentally sound and never seems to be in a hurry. Plenty of arm strength to play anywhere on the infield, 7.58 runner in the 60. Long, loose, whippy arm action from a ¾ slot; accurate throws, flashed carry and clocked at 84 mph across the diamond. Hands work soft and out in front of his body. Offensively, confident and comfortable in the box. Aggressive approach, hunts the fastball with looseness in swing. Took one of the better rounds of batting practice for Team Illinois; sprayed line drives to both gaps and made consistent hard contact. Pull approach in game with natural lift in swing; registered an 80 mph exit velocity.

7.30.16 - 6-foot, 160-pound, lean, right-handed hitting infielder with plenty of room for continued physical development. Offensively, quality at-bats throughout the game. Looseness in swing, consistent hard contact, relaxed approach and look in the box. Drove a double into the left-center field gap. Finished the day 2-for-3.

4.5.16 - Ranked No. 25 in the Illinois’ 2018 class. 6-foot-1, 160-pound, right-handed hitting infielder with a projectable, long-legged frame. As a sophomore, starting as the designated hitter in the seven hole. At the plate athletic setup and hitterish look in the box. Aggressive approach at the plate, loose swing with present bat speed. In his second at-bat, kept his hands back on a breaking ball and hit a hard line-drive off the third baseman’s glove. Defensively, was only able to see him during pregame at third base. Soft hands, athletic actions and loose arm. Should be a high follow in the 2018 class.

1.17.16 - Projectable frame, 6-foot-1, 160-pound infielder, slender, long legged frame. Right-handed hitter, athletic setup, confident look, slight leg lift stride, hands load back and down, excellent balance. Hands are loose, attacks the baseball, gets off back side well, occasionally lunges. Fast bat, efficient path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays long-strided on the infield, showed easy range, gains ground, hands are soft, plays through it athletically. Arm is loose, high ¾ slot, athletic arm action. Should become highly coveted prospect in the 2018 class.