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A Look Into Second Base Options for the Future of the Angels

By Justin Gideon

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 29: David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels fields the ball while playing the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 29, 2020 in Anaheim, California. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Angels won 16-3. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 29: David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels fields the ball while playing the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 29, 2020 in Anaheim, California. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Angels won 16-3. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Jahmai Jones, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Jahmai Jones, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Angels Second Basemen of the Future: Jahmai Jones

The Angels followed my advice given to Taylor Ward and applied it to Jahmai Jones. Drafted in the second round of the 2015 amateur draft as an outfielder, he has since moved to second base. The transition made sense for Jones, as his path to the major leagues was blocked being behind Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh on the outfield prospect depth chart.

Jones, once a top prospect for the Angels, has struggled the past two seasons in the minor leagues, hitting .239/.337/.380 in 2018 and .234/.308/.324 in 2019. One upside was his performance in the Arizona Fall League in 2019, hitting .302 with 2 home runs in 16 games.

Another factor to consider is that he is only 23 years old, and has been younger than the league average in every league he’s played in. In 2018 he was 4 years younger than the AA league average. He still has room and time to develop, and the Angels have not given up on the young infielder, and neither should you.

Jones had a small cup of coffee in the majors. and by a small cup of coffee, I mean like a cup of coffee for ants, one that would make Moonlight Graham jealous. On August 31st, he was called up and made his debut as a pinch-runner. He was then sent back down to the alternate site the next day, compiling 0 at-bats.

With Simmons and Fletcher both healthy, it doesn’t seem likely that Jones will have another shot this season. I expect the second base battle next spring to be one that everyone will be watching, as each candidate has an equal chance, with no one player going into camp with the edge.

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