| Garrett Jones | |
|---|---|
 Jones with the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| First baseman /Right fielder | |
| Born: (1981-06-21)June 21, 1981 (age 44) Harvey, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: May 15, 2007, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| NPB: March 25, 2016, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: July 29, 2015, for the New York Yankees | |
| NPB: 2016, for the Yomiuri Giants | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .251 |
| Home runs | 122 |
| Runs batted in | 400 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Batting average | .258 |
| Home runs | 24 |
| Runs batted in | 68 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Garrett Thomas Jones (born June 21, 1981) is an American former professionalbaseballfirst baseman andright fielder. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMinnesota Twins,Pittsburgh Pirates,Miami Marlins, andNew York Yankees, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theYomiuri Giants.
In 1999, Jones graduated fromVictor J. Andrew High School inTinley Park, Illinois.[1]
Jones was drafted by theAtlanta Braves in the 14th round of the1999 Major League Baseball draft.[2] Jones started his pro career with theGCL Braves in 1999. Jones played for theDanville Braves in 2000 and 2001. In May 2002, Jones was released after three seasons in the Braves'minor league system.[3]
Jones signed with theMinnesota Twins on May 24, 2002.[4] In 2002, Jones played for theQuad Cities River Bandits. In 2003, Jones played for theFort Myers Miracle. Jones split the 2004 season with Fort Myers and theNew Britain Rock Cats. From 2005–2008, he played for theRochester Red Wings, the Twins' AAA affiliate. On May 15, 2007, Jones made his major league debut, recording his firsthit in the seventh inning, asingle offCleveland Indians pitcherPaul Byrd.[5]
Jones appeared in 31 games with the Twins in 2007. Jones became a free agent at the end of the 2008 season.[citation needed]
Jones signed a minor league contract with thePittsburgh Pirates on December 16, 2008. On June 30, 2009, Jones' contract was purchased by the Pirates, and he was called up to take the roster spot that was vacated whenEric Hinske was traded.[6] On July 17, 2009, in a game against theSan Francisco Giants, Jones hit a home run in the first inning offTim Lincecum, then ended the game in the 14th inning with his second home run of the game, offBob Howry, to give the Pirates a 2–1walk-off win.[7] After being called up to the Pirates MLB roster, Jones hit ten home runs in his first month with the club and was named the National League's Rookie of the Month for July 2009.[8] Jones became the first to hit seven home runs in his first twelve games with the Pirates sinceDino Restelli in the 1949 season.[7] Jones's 10 home runs in July 2009 made him the first Pirate to hit 10 home runs in a month sinceJason Bay in May 2006 and the first Pirate to hit 10 home runs in a July sinceDonn Clendenon in 1966.[9]
On April 5, 2010, against theLos Angeles Dodgers, Jones hit two home runs in his first two at bats, becoming the sixth Pirate to hit two home runs on Opening Day. While the first was long into right field, landing in the Allegheny River, the second cleared the left field wall. On May 14 of that same year, Jones andAndrew McCutchen each collected five hits in the Pirates' 10–6 victory over theChicago Cubs. It was the first time since 1970 that Pirate teammates had collected five hits in the same game; that year,Willie Stargell andBob Robertson had accomplished this feat.[10] He finished the 2010 season with 145 hits, 64 runs, 34 doubles, one triple, 21 home runs, 86 RBIs, 53 walks, 123 strikeouts, 7 stolen bases, .247 batting average, .306 OBP, and .414 slugging percentage in 592 at bats.[11]
On June 2, 2013, Jones became the second player and first Pirate to hit a home run out ofPNC Park and into theAllegheny River on the fly.[12]
On November 25, 2013, Jones wasdesignated for assignment to make room forJaff Decker. On December 2, he was non-tendered by Pittsburgh, becoming a free agent.[13]
Jones signed a two-year contract worth $7.5 million with theMiami Marlins. The deal was finalized on December 13, 2013.[14]
In 2014, Jones hit .246 in 146 games with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs.
On December 19, 2014, the Marlins traded Jones to theNew York Yankees, along withNathan Eovaldi andDomingo Germán, forMartin Prado andDavid Phelps.[15] After he hit .215 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI, the Yankees designated Jones for assignment on July 31, after acquiringDustin Ackley.[16] However, Ackley injured his back days later, and Jones re-signed with the Yankees on August 5 after he clearedwaivers.[17] The Yankees designated Jones for assignment again on August 12, with Jones not appearing in any games since his return to the Yankees.[18] He was released on August 20.
During the 2015–16 offseason, Jones signed a one-year contract with theYomiuri Giants ofNippon Professional Baseball'sCentral League worth $2.8 million.[19] He then returned for another season with Yomiuri.
Jones met his wife Cassie in 2009 and were married in January 2013; the couple has one son Jaxon Jones. Cassie is the cousin of former MLB player and currentChicago Cubs broadcasterRon Coomer.[20]
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