By Erik Harris
TRUSSVILLE – After spending his childhood doing the tomahawk chop for the Atlanta Braves, one former Hewitt-Trussville pitcher is expected to follow in the footsteps of his idols as a player for the Tribe.
According to Grayson Jones, who led the Huskies to the 2013 Class 6A state finals, he will accept Atlanta’s invite and forgo his junior year of college. The Braves selected the righty in the 11th round (330th) of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday.
“I was sitting there watching (the draft) and I saw my name pop up, it was a great feeling,” said Jones. “I was with my family.”
He plans on signing with Atlanta on Saturday at his parent’s house.
After staring for Hewitt-Trussville, Jones went on to play two years at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, where his game blossomed. Following his freshman season in Tuscaloosa, he was selected in the 14th round by the Cleveland Indians, but decided to stay in school.
“I just felt like I needed to go back to college and get a little more mature as a pitcher and learn the game a little more, and I definitely feel like I accomplished that,” said Jones.
Jones held a 3.96 ERA in his first year with the Buccaneers, compiling a 5-2 record in 12 starts. He threw 52.1 innings that season, striking out 67 batters.
As a sophomore, he struck out 50 in 55.2 innings of work while posting a 4.04 ERA to go along with a 5-3 record for Shelton State. If not for his high pick in the draft, Jones would have played his junior campaign for Auburn.
Atlanta had Jones come in for a workout about a week before the draft.
“I did really well,” said Jones. “They liked what they saw.”