Scouting Report: Jordan Jones
Chicago Cubs | RP
Overall
Summary
Jared Jones is a 24-year-old Pirates starting pitcher recovering from UCL surgery performed in May 2025. He missed the entire 2025 season with a right elbow injury. As of May 2026, Jones is progressing through a minor league rehab assignment with multiple starts completed. His first rehab start (April 29) was perfect through 3 innings with 5 strikeouts for Single-A Bradenton. His second start (May 6) at Triple-A Indianapolis showed mixed results: 3 innings, 5 hits, 1 ER, 54 pitches, 2 K's, 1 BB, with a top fastball velocity of 100.1 mph (avg 98.8 mph). His third start (May 12) at Double-A Altoona was strong: 4 scoreless innings. Jones has been emphatic about wanting to return to the starting rotation, not the bullpen. Pirates GM Ben Cherington expects Jones to make "several" minor league starts before returning to Pittsburgh. The Pirates' current rotation includes Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and Carmen Mlodzinski, with potential roster adjustments needed upon Jones' return.
Strengths
- Strong fastball velocity (100.1 mph peak, 98.8 mph average) indicating good recovery from elbow surgery
- Successful early rehab starts showing progression (perfect game in first start, 4 scoreless innings in third start)
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