The Cleveland Guardians desperately need Nolan Jones to get things going.
He’s trending in the right direction, but given how much he struggled early on in the season, he’s going to need to do more to turn the narrative around him, at least among the fans.
He’s doing just that, and he showed it again in the 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
He delivered a two-run single to help the Guardians score three in the fourth inning, helping the Guardians split their six-game road trip before a crucial trip to New York to face the Yankees.
That’s why, as critical as he’s been of him and the outfield as a whole, manager Stephen Vogt wanted to give Jones his flowers, stating that he’s heading in the right direction:
“It’s definitely an encouraging sign to see [Nolan Jones] progressing and getting back on time,” Vogt said. “To me, when you’re hitting the ball hard in the middle of the field like he is, that’s when you’re at your best. It’s right back at the pitcher. That means you’re on time for the heater.”
Jones had a .152 batting average on May 13.
He drove those numbers up to .182 as the team headed into this six-game homestand.
Now, he’s logged eight hits in his last 14 at-bats, including a couple of three-hit games.
He has also logged six RBIs, and he’s registered seven hits in his last 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Jones is batting .350 with nine RBI since May 17, and it finally seems like he’s hitting his stride.
There has been a lot of talk about whether the Guardians need to call up OF prospects Chase DeLauter and/or C.J. Kayfus or pursue someone else before the trade deadline.
And while that might still be the case, it’s refreshing to see that Jones doesn’t seem to be a lost cause at the plate anymore.
NEXT: Guardians Young Slugger Enters MLB's Top 100 Prospects List
