Guardians Season in Review: Nolan Jones
Nolan Jones was one of the most doubted players on the Guardians’ 2025 roster. If you asked fans who their least favorite Guardian (excluding gamblers) was, many would point to Jones.
2025 Season Performance
Jones finished the season with a .211/.296/.304 slash line, resulting in a 72 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). Among major league outfielders with at least 400 plate appearances, he ranked second-worst in wRC+, trailing only Brenton Doyle, who is recognized for his excellent defense in centerfield. Angel Martinez slightly outperformed Jones with a 74 wRC+, illustrating the offensive struggles of the Guardians’ outfield. Daniel Schneemann also ranked poorly, with a 79 wRC+.
Expected Offensive Contribution
Interestingly, Jones’ expected weighted on-base average (wOBA), which measures the quality of batted balls, was the fifth-best on the team at .308. A .308 wOBA translates to approximately a 98 wRC+, a significant improvement over his actual production.
"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."
Defense and Potential
- Jones’ actual performance was below average, but his underlying expected stats suggest he could have been close to average offensively.
- His defensive capability in centerfield is estimated to be average, with below average skills in right field.
- This hints at a possible strong platoon option with Martinez in centerfield for the following season.
Summary: Nolan Jones’ 2025 season showed offensive struggles, but his underlying metrics reveal untapped potential that could help the Guardians improve their outfield in 2026.
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