i wouldnt use a high draft pick on him but that doesnt mean he cant help a team in other ways. while developing his safety skills hes going to be a great special teams player.
Chad didnt do 24 reps Rashad Jones from Georgia did 24 sorry yall. Couldn't believe it myself when I was watching the combine.
perhaps lazy? his parents are very intelligent, i don't think the apple would fall too far from the tree. the whole problem i have with this is that jones will get immediate looks from MLB teams as a left hand specialist. he'll probably go straight to the majors, (maybe AAA.) but he could have stayed at LSU, played his senior season for CPM and really worked with grewe on his pitching. what if what he did last season was just a fluke? chad is a competitor, why would he settle for just being a relief pitcher? there are a lot of questions...
if jones wasnt left-handed i would say he should play football. but a flame-throwing lefty makes money for a long time in baseball.
i was really looking forward to seeing cj on the mound this year. i think he could have improved as a pitcher. i dont think last year (pitching) was a fluke. i hate to say someone made a mistake, when i dont know all their circumstances, or which way their heart is leading them. however, the combine is starting to make it look that way. tho for him, i hope not. but, jones did what he felt was right for him. i hope that however it works out, and whatever path in life he takes, he is successful.
But do you leave school early if thats the path you are going to take? Many would tell a college player not to leave early unless they will be a first round pick. Not sure about the baseball angle. If thats where he is going with his career, it would seam he should have played another season to have more opportunities to pitch and then not return next season. We simply don't know enough about his situation and goals etc. to know. Whatever the case, I wish him success !!!!!!
I wish Chad the best, I truly do. I dont blame him the least bit for picking football over baseball despite money or longevity if thats the sport you prefer. I dont understand him leaving early though. He cleary isnt a first rounder. Unless your family is in serious need then I dont understand why so many kids leave school early unless your a definite top pick. I do understand the fear of injury though, so I know for some thats a factor.
Well, a year in minor league ball will give him a lot better preparation for major league baseball than another year in the NCAA, now that he's sure to get that million-dollar signing bonus. Don't forget that with Jones holding an offer from the NFL, MLB will have to make a much sweeter offer than they might have, if they really want him.
How many relief appearences did Chad make last year? Was it even double digits? How can any MLB team make a decision on so few opportunities. Surely not enough to throw any money at. And it took Chad a few games to even know what to do on the mound he was so green (I mean other than pitch to the plate). Some team might give him minor league tryouts but I doubt for any substantial money. As of now, it's football or bust.
