Adam Jones had it going on last year. He was hitting .303 with 55 runs, 12 HRs, 47 RBI, and six SBs before the All-Star Break. He started off red hot, hitting .344 with 40 runs, 11 HRs, and 36 RBIs in the season’s first two months.

Jones struggled in June hitting a dismal .229 with 10 runs, one HR, and eight RBI, but rebounded with a .270, 15 run, five HR, 15 RBI July. He sunk to .211 in August, but managed 18 runs and 11 RBI. Then Jones shut it down in September with an ankle injury.

Talk about a tale of two seasons. When you look at the aggregate, you see a player who improved dramatically in 2009.

2008:  477 ABs, .270, 61 runs, nine HRs, 57 RBI, 10 SBs, .711 OPS
2009:  473 ABs, .277, 83 runs, 19 HRs, 70 RBI, 10 SBs, .792 OPS

He’s still a very young hitter. He’ll turn 25 in August, with plenty of room for growth. He showed a knack for scoring runs even when he struggled with his average. With Matt Wieters, Nick Markakis, Nolan Reimold, Garrett Atkins, Luke Scott and Miguel Tejada hitting behind him, he should be in line for 100 runs.

He showed some pop in that bat. If he’s able to give the Orioles 500+ ABs, he should continue to improve on the power numbers.

He doesn’t excel in any particular category, so I would prefer him as a No. 3 fantasy outfielder. However, I would be okay with him as my No. 2. He should be a top 25 fantasy OF in 2010.

Prediction: .285, 100 runs, 24 HRs, 82 RBI, 12 SBs

 

Past profiles

Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb
Atlanta Braves: Yunel Escobar

 

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.