Kennard Jones Sold to Baltimore out of Arizona Winter League
Published on January 26, 2007 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(Pleasanton, CA. January 25, 2006) The Golden Baseball League is pleased to announce that the contract of Kennard Jones, currently playing for the Canada Miners in the Arizona Winter League (AWL) and under contract with the Reno Silver Sox of the Golden Baseball League for the summer has been sold to the Baltimore Orioles. Jones will report to spring training with the Orioles who have him targeted for their Double-A farm club in Bowie, Maryland. He is the first Arizona Winter League player to be acquired by a major league organization, but will continue with the Canada Miners through the remaining three weeks of the inaugural Arizona Winter League to be in top shape for spring training.
"Kennard is big league material, and the Orioles did well to move so fast as we have three other MLB organizations that will be down here next week," said Canada Miners and Reno Silver Sox Manager Les Lancaster. "It will be exciting to watch him progress in Baltimore's organization."
Jones, 25, was a 3rd round draft choice after a spectacular junior year at Indiana University where he was named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2002. In five years in the Padres farm system, he amassed over 500 hits, stole over 20 bases three consecutive seasons, and was a MidWest League All-Star in 2003. He signed in the off-season with the Reno Silver Sox to play the 2007 year in the Golden Baseball League, but landed in Les Lancaster's fast lane to a major league organization as the Reno skipper has moved 13 of his players in the last two years to big league clubs.
"This is what the Arizona Winter League is all about - a chance for high quality players to develop their skills and play in a showcase league that scouts from independent minor and major league organizations are watching." said Kevin Outcalt, GBL and AWL Commissioner. "Kennard should be the first of many that will have their professional baseball careers advanced by their AWL experience."
Golden Baseball League Stories from January 26, 2007
- Kennard Jones Sold to Baltimore out of Arizona Winter League - GBL
- Reno Silver Sox Marcus Jensen Signed by Oakland as Hitting Coach - Reno Silver Sox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
