Jahmai Jones opts out of minor league deal with Dodgers

Infielder Jahmai Jones has opted out of minor league deal with the Dodgers and been released by the club, according to Oklahoma City Dodgers communications director Alex Freedman on Twitter.

Jones, 25, was a consensus top-100 prospect in the sport back in 2018, though he fell off prospect lists after struggling to a .176/.228/.216 slash line over his first 79 plate appearances at the big league level. 

Originally drafted by the Angels in the second round of the 2015 draft, Jones made a brief debut with the club during the shortened 2020 campaign before he was swapped to Baltimore in the trade that sent Alex Cobb to Anaheim. 

He struggled in a cup of coffee with the Orioles during 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2022, a procedure that was shortly followed by the Orioles designating Jones for assignment.

Jones then latched on with the Dodgers on a two-year minor league deal in August, a move that allowed the young infielder to rehab with the club and gave L.A. a former top prospect who could serve as infield depth at the Triple-A level in 2023. 

Following his return to professional games, Jones posted excellent numbers in 62 games at the Triple-A level this season. He slashed .292/.427/.524 with a 17.5% walk rate against a 20.9% strikeout rate, production good for a well above average 134 wRC+ even in the heightened offensive environment of Triple-A’s Pacific Coast League.

Despite that performance from Jones and a need in the infield at various points this season, the Dodgers have opted to give youngsters like Miguel Vargas, Michael Busch, and Yonny Hernandez looks on the club’s roster rather than clear space on the 40-man roster for Jones. Given this, it’s hardly a surprise Jones decided to exercise his opt-out clause and test free agency.

Going forward, Jones seems likely to attract considerable interest given his strong 2023 numbers, youth, and former top prospect status. Jones has almost exclusively played second base to this point in the season, but also has experience at third base and in all three outfield spots throughout his minor league career, meaning he could serve as useful position player depth for virtually any club at the Triple-A level.