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Merit Jones Picked by Minnesota in 20th Round of MLB Draft
7/16/2024 4:18 PM | Baseball
Twins select draft-eligible sophomore and right-handed pitcher
FORT WORTH, Texas – The Minnesota Twins selected University of Utah pitcher and draft-eligible sophomore Merit Jones on Tuesday in the MLB Draft, taking Jones in the 20th round with the 608th overall pick.
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Jones, a native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, became the 78th Ute selected in program history and third to be taken in the 2024 MLB Draft. He follows outfielder Kai Roberts (San Diego – 7th round) and left-handed pitcher Micah Ashman (Detroit – 11th round). Utah's three draft picks in this year's draft are the most for the team since 2017.
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Jones is the third Utah player to be picked by the Twins in recorded history, following DaShawn Keirsey, Jr. Â (2018) and Craig MacKay (1965).
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He has made 31 appearances in his two seasons as a Ute thus far, including 26 starts. As a sophomore in 2024, Jones made 13 starts and finished 3-5 with 68.1 innings of work. He struck out 68 batters along the way. His first collegiate save came in the Pac-12 Tournament when the Utes knocked off Oregon during pool play.
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Spending time in the Friday spot of the rotation, Jones helped the Utes to series-opening wins over both Cal and Stanford, before the club went on to win both series later in those respective weekends. Jones also contributed a quality start vs. then-No. 3 Oregon State in March 2024; though he received a no-decision he struck out a career-best nine and left the game in line for the win.
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As a freshman, his breakthrough outing came in a combined shutout at Washington on March, 12, 2023. Jones received the start in that series finale and dealt six-plus innings of five-hit, walk-free ball with four strikeouts.
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He has also performed strongly in the classroom, as the health and kinesiology major was named CSC Academic All-District in 2024.
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Jones enjoyed a decorated high school career, playing at Idaho Falls HS under head coach Trent Johnson. Perfect Game ranked him the No. 1 right-handed pitcher in Idaho and No. 2 overall player in the state for the Class of 2022. Additionally in 2022, he was tabbed Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year, Conference Player and Pitcher of the Year, District Pitcher of the Year, and several other statewide and national accolades.
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It has become a Jones family tradition of sorts to attend the University of Utah; Merit Jones represents the third generation of his family to attend the U. He followed in the footsteps of both of his parents, grandparents and several other family members.
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Follow Utah Baseball
Follow the Utes on social media @utahbaseball.
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Jones, a native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, became the 78th Ute selected in program history and third to be taken in the 2024 MLB Draft. He follows outfielder Kai Roberts (San Diego – 7th round) and left-handed pitcher Micah Ashman (Detroit – 11th round). Utah's three draft picks in this year's draft are the most for the team since 2017.
Â
Jones is the third Utah player to be picked by the Twins in recorded history, following DaShawn Keirsey, Jr. Â (2018) and Craig MacKay (1965).
Â
He has made 31 appearances in his two seasons as a Ute thus far, including 26 starts. As a sophomore in 2024, Jones made 13 starts and finished 3-5 with 68.1 innings of work. He struck out 68 batters along the way. His first collegiate save came in the Pac-12 Tournament when the Utes knocked off Oregon during pool play.
Â
Spending time in the Friday spot of the rotation, Jones helped the Utes to series-opening wins over both Cal and Stanford, before the club went on to win both series later in those respective weekends. Jones also contributed a quality start vs. then-No. 3 Oregon State in March 2024; though he received a no-decision he struck out a career-best nine and left the game in line for the win.
Â
As a freshman, his breakthrough outing came in a combined shutout at Washington on March, 12, 2023. Jones received the start in that series finale and dealt six-plus innings of five-hit, walk-free ball with four strikeouts.
Â
He has also performed strongly in the classroom, as the health and kinesiology major was named CSC Academic All-District in 2024.
Â
Jones enjoyed a decorated high school career, playing at Idaho Falls HS under head coach Trent Johnson. Perfect Game ranked him the No. 1 right-handed pitcher in Idaho and No. 2 overall player in the state for the Class of 2022. Additionally in 2022, he was tabbed Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year, Conference Player and Pitcher of the Year, District Pitcher of the Year, and several other statewide and national accolades.
Â
It has become a Jones family tradition of sorts to attend the University of Utah; Merit Jones represents the third generation of his family to attend the U. He followed in the footsteps of both of his parents, grandparents and several other family members.
Â
Follow Utah Baseball
Follow the Utes on social media @utahbaseball.
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