NORTHWOODS LEAGUE ANNOUNCES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 3, 2009
Top Prospect Jones Returns to Bucks
(WATERLOO, IA) Waterloo Bucks Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, announced today the signing of Long Island University first baseman/left-handed pitcher James Jones to their 2009 roster. Jones, a 6’3″ 195-pound junior, rejoins the Bucks after a productive 2008 season and is the first player to sign with Waterloo for their 15th year of Northwoods League play.
Last season with the Bucks, Jones was awarded team Most Valuable Player honors after he ended the 2008 campaign with a record of 5-2, a 2.45 ERA, and 58 strikeouts despite missing the majority of the first half of the season with an ankle injury. Jones was also solid at the plate, batting .296 with eight doubles and 15 RBI. For his efforts, the Brooklyn, New York native was named one of the top MLB prospects of the Northwoods League.
Most recently, Jones earned a spot on Baseball America’s Top 100 College Prospects list as the publication named him the 30th best draft-eligible college player in the Nation and was also named the top draft prospect in the state of New York and Northeast region by Perfect Game Crosschecker after throwing in the 93-95 mph range at Long Island’s Scout Day this past fall.
Waterloo field manager Pete Lauritson is ready for the 6’3″ left-hander to re-join the Bucks.
“Everyone involved with the Bucks organization is excited James is coming back for a second season,” said Lauritson. “He is the most skilled and talented player I have ever been involved with and I think the Northwoods League has helped increase his draft status in the 2009 MLB Draft.”
During the ’08 season for LIU, Jones placed third in the Northeast Conference in runs, scoring 41 and stole a team-high 19 bases to rank fourth in the league. Jones tallied 58 hits to break into the top 10 LIU single-season list. He rattled off a 13-game hitting streak from March 12 to April 2 that included a five-hit performance in a 14-12 win over Cornell, earning NEC Player of the Week honors. He also led the team in ERA, making 10 starts on the hill.