Hayden
Jones

Slowly digging his way out of a .128 (5-for-38) hole to start the season, Jones has recently begun taking better at-bats. Currently up to .236 with three home runs, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound backstop has never slumped behind the dish. With a plus arm and Major League POP times, Jones was one of our pre-season top five catching prospects. Although his present performance at the plate may have changed that current ranking, look for Jones to continue his bounceback and finish strong in 2021. At his best the left-handed hitter shows the ability to drive the ball to both gaps with an easy, balanced stroke with natural loft. Behind the plate he’s quiet with good footwork and a strong arm which produces pop times in the mid-1.90s. This fall Jones sharpened the consistency of his stance/set-up to where he could better use his athleticism and it now allows him to more consistently beat the pitch to the spot instead of chasing it at times. All the pieces are still in place for Jones to become a Day Two draft pick this July, but he obviously needs to perform better with the bat. If not, as a third-year sophomore with less than 150 career college plate appearances, he could join the route of several other hitters in the 2021 draft class who have underperformed to date (Jud Fabian- Florida, Max Ferguson- Tennessee, Levi Usher- Louisville, Connor Pavolony- Tennessee, Zack Gelof- Virginia to name a few) and head to summer baseball looking for a rebound.

After a successful fall centered around the improvement of his receiving skills, the Mississippi State kickback has a chance to make a bold statement this spring. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound backstop is a potential middle of the order hitter with the ability to drive the ball to both gaps. He has an easy, balanced, left-handed stroke with natural loft. Behind the plate he’s quiet with good footwork and a strong arm which produces pop times in the mid-1.90s. With his bat ahead of his receiving going into this fall, Jones sharpened the consistency of his stance/set-up to where he could better use his athleticism behind the plate. This adjustment allows him to more consistently beat the pitch to the spot instead of chasing at times. All the pieces are in place for Jones to become a top round draft pick this July. The only thing left for him to do is simply go out and perform this spring.

One of the top prep players in Indiana in 2018, Jones was a renowned Mississippi State recruit where he hit .224/.269/.367 over 27 games as a freshman. He then transferred to Illinois State between semesters before the 2020 spring season and will be primed to contribute to the Redbirds next spring as a potential middle of the order bat. He’s able to drive balls to both gaps with an easy, balanced left-handed stroke tailored for natural loft. Behind the dish, Jones is a large target at 6-foot, 215 pounds and quiet receiver with sound footwork who shows off a plus arm with a 1.95 POP.  He is sure to attract plenty of scouting attention this fall and next spring as he ascends to the top rounds for the 2021 draft.

One position player who stuck out was catcher Hayden Jones. He was ranked No. 55 overall in the 2018 prep class and is now at Illinois State after transferring from Mississippi State at semester break this past winter. Jones showed a plus arm from his knees, strong receiving skills and the ability to put the bat on the ball. He showed a balanced approach and level swing with above average raw power to all fields. He is sure to attract plenty of scouting attention this fall and next spring as he ascends to the top rounds for the 2021 draft.

Spring Scout Blog: #3 ranked player in the state, #55 ranked overall in the 2018 class, had half a dozen pro scouts in to see him make his first start of senior season. Frame looked stronger than last season, impressed behind the plate receiving, blocking and throwing, clearly is one of the top catchers in the country defensively with plus arm strength. Delivered 1.89-2.0 consistently between innings, backpicked and snap threw behind runners accurately all night. Showed athleticism and foot speed to block and recover tough pitches in the turf, held runners in check. Struggled at the plate, timing was a tick off with some length in the swing, just missed on a couple swings that normally drives to the gap for extra bases. Will continue to be a power LH bat at the catcher position. 

East Coast Pro Showcase: 6-foot, 200-pound athletic, stronger looking frame. Mississippi State commit is the No. 4 ranked catcher in all of the PBR states and it was easy to see why. Defensively he showcased as one of the best behind the plate offering good arm strength and a clean transfer before he accurately throws down to second base. A left-handed hitter with strength at the plate. Starts his swing from an open stance before using a fluid lower half weight shift for power and a toe tap for timing then strides back to being even. Finishes his swing with a two-handed follow through. Showed strength in his swing when he hit a homerun over the right field wall and can hit the ball to both sides of the field.

8/4/16 FUTURE GAMES: The 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitter was a more well-known commodity heading into the event, and he only solidified his status as one of the top uncommitted 2018 catchers in the country. Jones consistently fired sub 1.9 pop times with easy carry (83 mph) to second base. He also showcased a loose, athletic swing with pop and ran a 7.10 60.

2/28/16: The 6-foot, 185 pound receiver has moved into the top 5 of Indiana's 2018 rankings after his performance at the Winter Preview showcase last month.  One of the top catchers in the state of any class, Jones possesses advanced receiving skills with good footwork.  His arm is quick with a clean transfer.  At the event he produced pop times consistently between 1.88-1.93 and was 83 from the crouch.  Offensively, the left-handed hitter shows an advanced approach.  He hits from a slightly open, athletic stance.  His lower half is explosive and showcased quick bat speed with fluid rhythm. During his BP session he barreled up the baseball, making loud contact while displaying good power.