Right-handed pitcher Jared Jones is arguably the Pittsburgh Pirates’ biggest X-Factor this year. After an extremely promising rookie season in 2024, the Bucs gave Jones a significant role on their 2025 roster. However, elbow inflammation during Spring Training led to him eventually undergoing internal brace surgery, eliminating him for the rest of the season. Jones will return sometime this summer. While many likely expect him to take up a role similar to Braxton Ashcraft last year (long-reliever/spot-starter), Jones has the stuff to be a high-leverage arm for the Bucs.
Jones pitched well as a starter in 2024. He tossed 121.2 innings while working to a 4.14 ERA, 4.00 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP. Jones struck out a healthy amount of opponents with a 26.2% K%, while marking down a quality 7.7% walk rate. The standout rookie struggled to limit hard contact, with a 27th percentile exit velocity (89.6 MPH), and 13th percentile barrel rate (9.8%). Unsurprisingly, Jones had an unimpressive 1.33 HR/9 ratio. However, this was the only red flag in his 2024 bottom line.
The first reason they should consider using Jones as a high-leverage reliever is that his workload is going to be limited. 2024 remains the most innings he has ever pitched at 131.2 innings (he also logged 11 innings at Triple-A during his rookie year). The reason he pitched at Triple-A at all in 2024 was that he missed time due to a lat strain. The chances that Jones pitches more than 60-70 innings this year are likely low.
The second reason is that Jones was dominant facing opponents the first time through the order. He owned a 2.77 ERA, struck them out nearly 30% of the time (29.3%), and only had a 9.3% walk rate. The second time through the order, Jones posted a 4.02 ERA with a 21.9% strikeout rate, albeit with an improved 7.1% walk rate. Letting Jones pitch only an inning or two at a time would make him highly effective.
That effectiveness would also likely increase with an uptick in stuff, leading to a third reason. Jones already has impressive pitch quality. In 2024, 77 pitchers threw at least 750 four-seam fastballs. Jones’ average four-seamer velocity of 97.3 MPH was the fifth highest. He trailed just his own teammate, Paul Skenes, along with Michael Kopech, Victor Vodnik, and division rival ace Hunter Greene. His overall FanGraphs Stuff+ clocked in at an impressive 104 mark. This was Jones’ stuff as a starter. Imagine how hard he could throw while only pitching one or two innings at a time?
While this last reason is much more subjective, Jones has shown the mentality you would want from a closing pitcher. The young right-hander exudes confidence on the mound. Jones isn’t afraid to show emotion on the mound. He can back his strikeout celebrations up with his stuff on the mound.
Since they’re likely not using him out of the rotation this year, the Pirates should see if Jones can handle high-leverage and even some save opportunities when he returns. With all the starting pitching depth they currently have, and Jones’ limited workload, they have the opportunity to try it. The worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t work out that well, and the Pirates continue to build Jones back up as a starter for 2027. However, the best-case scenario is that Jones becomes a dominant, long-term 9th-inning option.
