whatever happened to …

JaCoby Jones, the former Richton High star, is, for the foreseeable future, stuck at Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit organization. After the Tigers traded J.D. Martinez on Tuesday and needed another outfielder, Jim Adduci got the call, not Jones, the Tigers’ ninth-rated prospect. Detroit manager Brad Ausmus told the Detroit Free Press there “was no thought” given to bringing Jones back up. “We want JaCoby to play every day down there at Triple-A, get at-bats on a regular basis,” Ausmus said. Jones is hitting .239 with eight homers and 30 RBIs for the Mud Hens. The 25-year-old fifth-year pro began the season as Detroit’s center fielder and was the first Mississippian to homer in the big leagues in 2017. That was on April 4. That remains his only homer in 22 MLB games this year. He was batting just .150 in late April when he was struck in the mouth by a pitch and went on the disabled list. A rehab assignment at Toledo became a regular assignment; he was recalled briefly in late May, going back down on June 6. Jones, 6 feet 2, 205 pounds, has shown power (55 homers) and speed (64 steals) in his minor league career, which began in the Pittsburgh system. He also has versatility, capable of playing shortstop and third base. But the Tigers seem to feel he needs more – and better – at-bats at Toledo to rate another shot at The Show.