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Detroit Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones emerges as Opening Day roster candidate
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- Detroit Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones emerges as Opening Day roster candidate
LAKELAND, Fla. — A new player has emerged in the race for a spot on the Opening Day roster : Jahmai Jones .
Jones — the brother of former Detroit Lions wide receiver T.J. Jones and son of former Lions linebacker Andre Jones — has become a legitimate contender to break camp with the Detroit Tigers for the 2025 season.
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"I'm not trying to put too much pressure on it," Jones said.
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Detroit Tigers infielder Jahmai Jones warms up before a Grapefruit League game against Philadelphia Phillies at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
A path exists for the 27-year-old utility player — a right-handed hitter known for his ability to crush left-handed pitchers — to secure an outfield role, especially if second-year center fielder Parker Meadows begins the season on the injured list .
There are 21 days until Opening Day on March 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers .
"If it's meant to be, it's meant to be," Jones said. "If I'm supposed to make the roster, I can go hitless in camp and I'll make the roster, or if I'm not supposed to be on the roster, I can hit .700 and there could still be something that keeps me from being on the roster."
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Those are the lessons Jones learned as a prospect in the Los Angeles Angels ' organization, ranking as high as No. 2 on the Angels' top prospects list in 2016 after being drafted No. 70 overall in 2015.
Jones used to put too much pressure on himself in spring training.
Not anymore.
"As I've gotten older, I've understood that never helps you," Jones said. "I love this game. I'm just thankful for the opportunity. I'm trying to run with it."
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Jones competed in 33 games for the New York Yankees in 2024, part of 69 games in his MLB career across parts of four seasons with four teams. He hit .302 with an .883 OPS against left-handed pitchers last season at the MLB and Triple-A levels.
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He then signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers in November 2024 .
As for the Opening Day roster, Jones has benefited from outfielder injuries to Meadows and Matt Vierling , so much so that manager A.J. Hinch told him to focus more on the outfield than the infield moving forward in spring training.
"He's got a track record," Hinch said. "He hasn't been given a ton of opportunity in the big leagues, but it's good to see him take it — take the work he's doing and take it in the game and get some incredibly positive results. To picture him in this competition, part of this is how he responds to the better left-handed pitchers that he would face."
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Hinch praised Jones for taking a step forward in Wednesday's 17-7 win over the Philadelphia Phillies , facing left-handed starter Jesús Luzardo (six-year MLB career) and left-handed reliever Matt Strahm (nine-year MLB career).
It was an impressive performance against a pair of lefties.
In the second inning, Jones destroyed Luzardo's changeup for a 430-foot grand slam to the top of the Corona Cabana in left-center at Joker Marchant Stadium, hitting the ball with a 112.2 mph exit velocity. He also hit Luzardo's 97 mph fastball for a leadoff double in the first inning, with a 113.8 mph exit velocity. In the third, he drew a six-pitch walk against Strahm.
"I guess I've hit lefties well throughout my career," said Jones, who posted a .925 OPS in 25 plate appearances against MLB lefties last season. "It's always good having a strength show up because they're still trying to evaluate me."
In Wednesday's game, Jones started in center for the first time in a long time. He played center for one game in 2021 at the Triple-A level, and before then, his last time in center was for seven games in 2019 at the Double-A level.
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The Tigers like him better as a corner outfielder, but he can play center. Jones also plays second and third base, adding to his defensive versatility.
"I told him his best chance to impact this roster is going to center around his outfield play," Hinch said of Jones, who has played second more than any position in his MLB career. "He can come into the infield, and certainly, he probably even will, but I think it's fair to give him his best chance."
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While Meadows is sidelined, the Tigers are relying on Wenceel Pérez as the primary center fielder, but a trio of infielders — Jones, Ryan Kreidler , Zach McKinstry — are getting reps in center as the Tigers continue to evaluate their roster situation, especially since Riley Greene is staying in left field.
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Vierling has been ruled out for Opening Day, but Meadows' status remains uncertain.
This spring, Jones is hitting .278 with two home runs, four walks and six strikeouts in nine games, spanning 22 plate appearances. He has logged innings at all three outfield positions in games, as well as second base.
"The biggest thing for me is just taking it day-by-day," Jones said. "I'm really not trying to get ahead of myself. There are a lot of good players on this roster, and there are a lot of good players in this camp. I feel like everyone has a chance."
With injuries in the outfield, a couple of opportunities have opened for unexpected players to earn a spot on the 26-man roster with three weeks until Opening Day.
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And Jones is making the most of his chance with the Tigers.
He could make the team.
"If it ends up being my name at the end of March that makes the roster, that's great," Jones said, "but honestly, I'm just trying to take care of my business as best I can and go out and play a bunch of different positions and get used to being in the lineup."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Versatile Jahmai Jones focusing on outfield with roster hopes rising
