Jones hits two homers in professional debut

By DENNIS BRUNSON
Item Sports Editor
dennisb@theitem.com

When asked if he had already asked the Chicago Cubs organization if he could be promoted to one of its Single-A baseball teams, Richard Jones answered with an emphatic "no."

However, if Jones continues to have nights like the one he had in his professional debut on Wednesday for the Cubs' team in the Arizona Rookie League, Jones won't have to ask, Chicago will make the move on its own.

The former Wilson Hall and Sumter P-15's standout smacked two home runs, drove in five runs and scored three runs while going 3-for-5, leading the Cubs to a 13-3 victory in Mesa, Ariz.

"It was a pretty good way to start," Jones, who was a 12th-round pick of the Cubs in last month's Major League Baseball draft, said on Thursday. "Actually, my first home run was an inside-the-park home run. The second one was an "every day" home run."

Jones, who said he hit an inside-the-parker while playing collegiately at The Citadel, said he got the opportunity for it when the Indians centerfielder thought he could make a play on the ball Jones hit to dead center.

"They've got like a 30-foot high eye drop (back drop) in center, and the centerfielder thought he could get it," Jones said. "The ball hit off of it and bounced almost all of the way back to the infield. By the time they got to it I was already at third base, so I kept going."

Jones said there was a throw to the plate, but it wasn't close. Still, he chose to slide.

"I don't think I could have ran anymore," he laughed.

While he and his teammates are about the business of baseball, Jones said there is a good atmosphere surrounding the team.

"The manager (Juan Cabrera) and coaches (Hector Ortega and Rick Tronerud), they've been in the business awhile and they know what to do to make you feel comfortable," Jones said. "They're able to put you in a place where you can relax and get used to things."

Jones, who signed with Chicago on June 22, said he had been practicing and working out with other draft picks who signed around the same time he did. They were added to the roster on Wednesday.

Jones said he was told he would be in the AZL for a week or so and then move on to Boise of the Pioneer League, another Rookie league team. Jones though said he is just going to take things as they come.

He did start at catcher on Wednesday, but he has been working at first base in practice.

"They want me to work on a secondary position because you just can't catch every day," he said. "They're looking for another position, so they had me messing around a little bit there."

Reach Sports Editor Dennis Brunson at dennisb@theitem.com or (803) 774-1241.