Tigers' Jones named AFL Co-Player of the Week

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-- Detroit Tigers infield prospect JaCoby Jones of the Scottsdale Scorpions was named Arizona Fall League Co-Player of the Week at the end of the first week of games this season, alongside Mesa Solar Sox infielder and Chicago Cubs prospect Jeimer Candelario.

"It's a great honor to be named player of the week with all these players out here. I wasn't expecting that," Jones said. "I'm having a great time. I'm just trying to improve my game out here. Just trying to see the ball across the middle of the plate and hit it and just have fun and keep getting better."

During the first week of the Fall League season, Jones hit .538 with two home runs and four RBIs in three games. Those two home runs and four RBIs came in the first game of the season, an 11-3 Scottsdale, against the Salt River Rafters on Oct. 14. The next day Jones, ranked No. 10 on the Tigers' Top 30 Prospects list, went 4-for-4 and scored two runs as the Scorpions went on to beat the Glendale Desert Dogs, 9-3.

Among all Fall League players, Jones is tied for second in hits (7), tied for third in total bases (13) and is tied for the league lead in runs scored (5). 

Jones played his college baseball at LSU from 2011 to 2013. While at LSU, Jones was named 2011 Freshman All SEC, Louisiana Freshman of the Year, Baseball America Freshman All-American (Second Team) and Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American. In 2013 he was named Second-Team All SEC.

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Jones in the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He was traded to the Detroit Tigers July 30 in exchange for closer Joakim Soria.

Jones hit .257 with 16 home runs and 80 RBIs in the Minor Leagues this season, stretching across Class A Advanced and Double-A affiliates in the Pittsburgh system and then Detroit's Double-A club.

In the Arizona Fall League, Jones is enjoying his early success and focusing on improving his overall game.

"I'm just working on my swing, still trying to figure out my swing and what pitches I can drive, what pitches I can't and what pitches I should not swing at," Jones said. "Not chasing the pitches the pitchers want me to swing at, that's the biggest thing because I'm a free swinger, I'm an aggressive hitter."

This is Jones' first season participating in the Arizona Fall League and he relishes the opportunity.

"These are top notch players. All the top players in the Minor Leagues come here and play in the Fall League. This is a good time for me. This is a good experience for me and my career," Jones said. "Each day you're going out and are potentially facing guys that are going to be in the big leagues soon. So, it's a fun time and I'm glad to be here."