Guardians Season Review: Nolan Jones
Nolan Jones emerged as a highly criticized figure on the Guardians' 2025 roster. His offensive performance struggled significantly throughout the season.
Statistical Overview
In 2025, Jones recorded a slash line of .211/.296/.304, resulting in a 72 wRC+. Among major league outfielders with at least 400 plate appearances, this placed him second-worst in wRC+, only ahead of Brenton Doyle, a strong defensive centerfielder.
- Angel Martinez slightly outperformed Jones with a 74 wRC+.
- Daniel Schneemann ranked fifth-worst with a 79 wRC+.
This highlighted the Guardians' broader offensive struggles in the outfield.
Defensive and Expected Performance
Interestingly, Jones’ expected weighted on-base average (wOBA), which measures the quality of his batted balls, was .308 — the fifth-best on the team. This figure corresponds roughly to a 98 wRC+, indicating he produced better expected outcomes than actual results.
"Had Jones put up a 98 wRC+, he was roughly an average fielder in center and a below average player in right-field. He would have likely achieved around 1 win above replacement and we would be potentially talking about if a Jones-Martinez combo in centerfield can be a winning platoon for the team in 2026."
This contrast between expected and actual offensive metrics underscores inconsistencies in his 2025 season.
Summary
Nolan Jones faced widespread doubt after a disappointing offensive year, but his expected performance suggests potential value that could benefit the Guardians in the future.
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