Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
April 5, 2004

Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Cubs can afford to be patient with young arms
April 6, 2004

The Chicago Cub organization has one of most impressive arrays of young pitchers in the minor leagues. There's so much depth in the system that they are able to be very patient in moving their mound jewels through the organization.

Justin Jones

One of their top-ranked hurlers is 19-year-old southpaw Justin Jones. The Virginia native has experienced nothing but success on the mound in his two-year minor league career, yet the Cubs shut him down twice last summer to protect his young arm.

"There's no reason to rush guys like me," said Jones, "because there's an abundance of guys that are young and throw well. Looking at the major league staff, there's not anywhere to put us right now. So there's no rush to push anyone. I feel like when it's time for guys to take some time off, they (the Cubs organization) are pretty lenient with that."

The Cubs especially have good reason to be protective of Jones. The 6'4", 190 pound second round draft choice burst on the scene with a strong performance in the rookie level Arizona League in 2002. Jones compiled a 3-1 record with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 63 batters and walking only 18 in 50 innings --- all before he turned 18!

One day after his team won the Arizona League championship, Jones and four of his teammates hopped on a flight to Boise, Idaho, where he started one game for the Cubs' Northwest League team. In that contest he gave up only one run in five innings, earning the win.

Jones was promoted to Low A Lansing for the 2003 season, where he was one of the younger players in the Midwest League. In 16 starts, he recorded a 2.28 ERA with a 3-5 record, striking out 87 batters in 71 innings while walking 32. Jones combined with relievers Mark Carter and Weston O'Brien on an early season no-hitter against Dayton.

With his lanky, projectable frame, a fastball already into the 90s and a very good changeup, Jones is looking like he could be a mainstay in the Chicago rotation within a few years. He's already been compared to a young Jamie Moyer, the Seattle left-hander who came up in the Cubs organization nearly 20 years ago.

Is Jones flattered by the comparison?

"When anyone's compared to some who's been successful in the past," Jones answered, "that's a good feeling and it's a compliment."

Justin Jones (right) watches a spring training game with teammate Ron Bay

Jones is looking forward to the new season, although he'll have to wait a few weeks before seeing any league action. The Cubs will keep him in extended spring training as he rebuilds his arm strength.

"This year is kind of a rebuilding year for me," commented Jones. "I came in hurt with some tendonitis. I'm okay now. I have a throwing program that I'm on and I'm taking it real slow."

Jones continued by discussing his conditioning for the upcoming season.

"My main goal is to make it all the way through the season," he said. "Last year I got cut short a little bit. Coming out of high school, it was a long year for me. This year I'm definitely a lot stronger and in better shape."

He's done more than just get his arm and body ready for another season.

"The main thing I've learned that's helped me tremendously is the mental aspect of the game," said Jones, "from talking to all of the coaches and even the players with experience."

Jones knows that he still has a lot to learn before he's ready to take the mound at Wrigley Field. For now, he's content to take it one day at a time.

"Every day you learn something new," finished Jones. "If you don't, then you're not getting better."

--- Bill Mitchell