*This story was initially printed on Saturday, March 30, 2024, earlier than Jones made his*
MIAMI — Jimmy Zurn nervously waited and refreshed social media whereas texting Keith Jones the night time of March 24. Keith’s son, Jared Jones, is the Pirates’ No. 3 prospect and was the discuss of their Spring Coaching, rising from being a darkish horse for a rotation spot to a critical candidate for a job after tossing 16 1/3 innings with out permitting an earned run. Zurn was Jones’ highschool coach, and it was consuming at him ready to know if the right-hander made the Pirates’ Opening Day roster.
After texting forwards and backwards, Keith instructed Zurn that Jared was going to name him quickly. Keith wouldn’t dare spoil the information, however Jared had made the workforce, and he was making the rounds telling everybody.
The primary name Jared made was to his mother and father, then he instructed his fiancée in particular person and known as his grandparents. Then it was Zurn, the primary particular person outdoors of his instant household who knew.
The 2 had talked the day earlier than after Jones made his closing spring begin, with Zurn telling his former pupil he ought to be happy with himself. He did the whole lot he might to make a case for that Opening Day job. They had been encouraging phrases from a long-time confidant.
Zurn remembers attending to know Jones when he was an eighth grader watching the La Mirada Excessive Faculty (Calif.) varsity workforce play. Now Jones is on the precipice of the Majors, and the 2 nonetheless discuss after most of his begins.
“Now we have a reasonably shut relationship,” Jones mentioned. “He’s a players-first sort of coach.”
The talks can typically be simply a few textual content messages, and it not often goes too far into the weeds, by way of baseball discuss. However as Jones has made his stand up the ranks from a second-round Draft choose in 2020, to the No. 60 prospect within the sport to now a giant leaguer, he hasn’t forgotten his roots.
“It’s at all times a, ‘Thanks, is the whole lot feeling good?’” Zurn mentioned. “I bought to see him, within the baseball world, as a maturing highschool child. He’s a grown man. That was the very last thing I despatched to him, ‘You had been born for this, dude.’”
Zurn knew Jones was destined for large issues even earlier than he was on the workforce. Throughout a observe when Jones was in eighth grade, Zurn identified his future right-hander to his dad, who was amazed to see somebody throwing within the higher 80s at his age. Jones was a pure athlete, to the purpose that when La Mirada had an alumni sport this previous vacation break, Jones received the house run derby.
“Yeah I did,” Jones mentioned with a smile. “I rake.”
It was on the mound that Jones grew to become a high Draft prospect. He as soon as tossed a 77-pitch excellent sport the place the primary 76 pitches thrown had been fastballs, earlier than ending with a slider. In his senior 12 months, he had a no-hitter going by 5 innings in opposition to a rival college, however he had already reached his pitch depend. Jones protested Zurn taking him out, however it was a shedding battle.
“You would inform he was [angry],” Zurn mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘My duty is to that factor hanging off the fitting facet of your physique.’”
4 years later, Jones and the Pirates are grateful Zurn was accountable with that proper arm. Nevertheless it was that edge, that want that stood out to the coach. Speaking with Jones, you’ll be able to inform he has a aggressive facet, however so long as he isn’t pitching, he’s smiley, pleasant, typically even unfastened and goofy.
However when it’s his flip within the rotation?
“When he has a ball in his hand, a very completely different beast comes out,” Zurn mentioned. “Everybody at all times talks concerning the X-factor, the it-factor, and if I needed to pinpoint it, he’s bought it. What he brings to the mound, from pitch one, is he believes he’s not going to lose that day.”
“I’m a competitor, man,” Jones mentioned. “That’s simply who I’m on the mound. I’m [a] fiery little man. That’s what I prefer to name myself.”
That fireplace has been there for a very long time, even on the backfields of La Mirada. Jones has grown and developed since then, however that want has been the fixed within the years Zurn has recognized him.
“He’s the identical child I bear in mind watching him pitch for the primary time when he was 15 years previous,” Zurn mentioned.
Upon the information Jones made the workforce, there was an outpouring of affection again house. He’s the second La Mirada alumnus to make the Majors, alongside Daniel Ponce De Leon of the Cardinals. Zurn joked there are going to be loads of watch events this weekend for the Pirates’ sport. He received’t be at one in all them, although, as he’s touring to Miami to see it in particular person.
Jones goes to have loads of folks at loanDepot park Saturday to cheer him on, together with his mother and father, uncle, the Zurns and members of his company. Zurn is aware of Jones goes to have a lot on his plate and he doesn’t need to impose, which is why he despatched him another message earlier this week.
“I do know it’s going to be fairly busy for you. Simply go do you, you’ll be simply positive.”
