Rutgers baseball continues to be active in the transfer portal, adding catcher JD Jones to their roster next season. Rutgers has been searching for a catcher for the 2024 season, and Jones has the potential to become the primary option next season.
In 2023, senior Andy Axelson was the primary catcher for the Scarlet Knights, logging a .333 batting average, five home runs, and 27 RBIs. Heading into the offseason, backup catchers Jason Shockley and Danny Melnick are in the transfer portal, leaving an opportunity for Jones to take the starting role behind the plate.
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Last season, Jones was part of a Miami Hurricanes team that went 42-21 and won two games in the NCAA Tournament. In 2023, Jones appeared in 11 games, going 3 of 10 at the plate with an RBI and a walk. Jones appeared in 30 games in two years with Miami, recording a .296 batting average, two RBIs, and four walks. The Colorado native from Boulder, Colorado, has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Rutgers Nation, join us as we welcome JD Jones to the Scarlet Knights ‼️
A Colorado native, JD joins us after two years at the University of Miami.
Why Rutgers? "It is a winning baseball program and a great culture led by Coach Owens."
Let's work, @JD_Jones7!#TCD pic.twitter.com/41C6qj9Ni3
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) June 21, 2023
The 6-foot 210 pounds catcher was a top 500 national recruit out of high school. During his senior season in high school, Jones was a First Team All-Region selection, and he recorded a .409 batting average. According to the Perfect Game, Jones was ranked the No. 2 catcher and the No. 11 prospect in Colorado for 2021.
Jones was a four-year letterman at Fairview High School, finishing his career with a .361 batting average, seven home runs, and 46 RBIs. Also, he helped lead the Knights to the 2021 5A Colorado Front Range League Championship.
Jones’s commitment marks the five-player through the transfer portal for the Scarlet Knights. So far, Rutgers has added three pitchers and two position players to their 2024 roster via the transfer portal.
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