All-Star Bradley Jones continues to impress MLB Scouts
About 20 scouts at the 2015 Valley League All-Star Game on July 12 had the opportunity to watch Bradley Jones put on a show in the homerun derby.
Jones, a rising junior and third baseman from the College of Charleston blasted nine homeruns in the first round, but succumbed to eventual winner Justin Woods in the final round after his back tightened up.
Jones has used his skill and power to contribute to the Charles Town Cannons this summer. He is hitting .336 with 12 doubles, seven homeruns, and a whopping 27 RBI. Fans shouldn’t be surprised though after Jones hit .309 with 11 homeruns and 45 RBI for the Cougars this past spring.
The Cougars were bounced from the NCAA Tallahassee Regional after an 8-1 loss against the No.1-seeded Florida State Seminoles.
Jones is not the only Cougar that is playing in the Valley League this summer. Jonathan Moring and Bradley Dixon are playing for the Strasburg Express while Erven Roper is a catcher for the Woodstock River Bandits. These three players hail from South Carolina: Moring from Meggett, Dixon from Greenwood, and Roper from Easley.
“It’s more fun to play against my teammates because it’s a different element,” Jones said.
Jones arrived a few weeks late to the Cannons but head coach Brett Fuller knew Jones was going to be a special addition to the Charles Town roster.
“The thing about Bradley is that he has an on/off switch and when he turns it on, there is no one better in our league,” Fuller said. “There’s no doubt in my mind he will be drafted because he has the skill to play at the next level.”
Charles Town hasn’t had the best season as they are sitting in last place, 4 games back of a playoff bid in the North division but Jones says that doesn’t impact his play. “I try not to put too much pressure on myself,” Jones said. “It’s still a game and I need to contribute in every way I can.
While talking to a couple of scouts during the Valley League All-Star festivities, Fuller said Jones received praise and a lot of interest. One scout even told him Jones has the capability to get drafted within the first five rounds of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Jones didn’t grow up favoring a professional baseball team but said he would want to get drafted by the Atlanta Braves because of the close proximity to his hometown.
The Cannons will play their last regular-season game on Saturday July 25 as they play host to the Front Royal Cardinals.
-Kim Fucci
