Baltimore Orioles Adam Jones: Ready to Bounce Back in 2016

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones had a bit of a down year last season. With the stars aligning for the Orioles in 2016, he should have a bounce back season.

The Baltimore Orioles have been very busy this offseason in an attempt to compete in the American League East. They brought back their slugging first baseman and signed a leadoff-hitting outfielder to add to the pieces already in their lineup. One of those pieces has been the cornerstone for the offense, outfielder Adam Jones. While he had a down year in 2015, this season looks much brighter for the 30-year-old. 

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After just 73 games with the Seattle Mariners, he was traded to the Orioles before the start of the 2008 season; and the rest is history. In eight seasons, he hit 193 home runs, 647 RBI and .280/.320/.466. He has been one of the top outfielders drafted year in and year out. Last season, however, was a bit of a disappointment compared to his previous seasons.

Adam Jones played in 137 games, fewest since 2009, and hit 27 home runs, 82 RBI and .269. His batting average was the lowest it’s been since 2007. Jones has never been much of a walker, 4.3 career walk rate and 4.1 walk rate last year. He did strike out just 17.6 percent of the time, best of his career. He finished 30th among outfielders and 109th overall on the Player Rater.

Jones made better contact with the ball last season. His ground ball rate (45.8) was the best since 2007 and his fly ball rate (36.3) was the best since 2010. While his hard hit rate dropped about three percent, his medium hit rate rose 3.1 percent. He is swinging at more pitches out of the strike zone, 47.7 O-swing rate (career high), and at more pitches overall last season, 61.1 swing rate.

Next: Baltimore Orioles Sign Dexter Fowler

Adam Jones is still one of the best outfielders in the game. He was never a speed guy, career-high 16 steals, but has contact and power. With the emergence of Manny Machado, the return of Chris Davis and signing of Dexter Fowler give Jones a great hitting lineup around him. He slides into my top-20 outfielders and can still post 25-plus home runs and hit for a decent average. While he may not be a No. 1 outfielder, I would be more comfortable with him as my No. 2 in a standard league.

Projections: 168 hits, 28 home runs, 88 RBI, .278 average

Draft: Round 6