MVN - Most Valuable Network

Adam Jones belongs here

He belongs in the MLB.  He belongs on the O’s and his “struggles” to date are no different then any other player in his rookie season.

I don’t know WHO would think that Jones would be better served in AAA, but in this article in today’s Baltimore Sun you will find this:

His performance lowered his average to .211 and triggered some talk that perhaps the talented 22-year-old outfielder would be better served at Triple-A.

That has to be the most asinine thing I have ever read.  Jones is 22 years old and the learning curve in the MLB can be steep for a lot of players.

Jones current average, after a bad road-trip, sits at .211.  He has 2 HR and 11 RBI.

On May 5th of 2006 Nick Markakis’ batting average sat at .203.  He had 2 HR and 8 RBI.

On May 6th 1982 Cal Ripken’s batting average sat at a robust .162.  He had 2 HR and 4 RBI.

There have been a few places I have seen expressing disappointment in Jones’ start so far.  Again, I have to say that it is so short-sighted it is bordering on the absurd.  Adam Jones is the future and if anyone expected him to be a 25-30 HR threat from jump-street was kidding themselves.

Let us not forget that Jones has been more than solid in CF, arguably the toughest outfield position, so far this season with more than his fair share of highlight-worthy plays.  He has also displayed a cannon for an arm, something that you can not fully appreciate until you see it live.

Now, Jones needs to make the adjustments.  In his first year Nick had to learn how to get around on the inside fastball.  Nick learned, he went on to hit 14 HRs in the second half of 2006.

Orioles fans should expect a similar type of learning curve from Jones, to expect anything more is simply asking too much.  And if you hear anyone say they are “disappointed” in Jones’ output or that he might need to be “sent-down;”  Be sure to show them the scorn and derision they si desperately deserve.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 7:07 pm and is filed under Oriole Players, commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.