The Houston Astros have signed versatile infielder and outfielder Greg Jones to a minor league contract, as confirmed by the team. According to his MLB.com transactions page, Jones has been assigned to the Astros’ Florida Complex League team for now, though he is expected to join their Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land soon.
Jones, who is 27 years old, was recently released by the Chicago White Sox. His departure from the team created an opening on their 40-man roster, which was then used to claim pitcher Yoendrys Gomez. However, Gomez has since been designated for assignment, adding another twist to the roster shuffle. At the time of his release, Jones was on the minor league injured list, though the nature of his injury was not publicly disclosed. Major League Baseball rules prevent injured players from being placed on outright waivers, which essentially forced the White Sox to release him in order to make room for Gomez.
Now a free agent, Jones has found a new opportunity with the Astros. While his current health condition remains uncertain, he brings an exciting skillset that could be valuable once he’s game-ready. Known for his speed on the basepaths, Jones has been highly effective as a baserunner throughout his minor league career. In 375 games, he has successfully stolen 167 bases out of 192 attempts, giving him an impressive 87% success rate. Defensively, he has displayed versatility by playing both middle infield positions—shortstop and second base—as well as all three outfield spots.
Despite his strengths on the field and the bases, Jones has struggled offensively. Since the beginning of the 2023 season, he has tallied 769 plate appearances in the minors, primarily at the Triple-A level. Over that span, he has hit 28 home runs but has also struck out at an alarming rate—37.3% of the time. This has led to a batting line of .247/.326/.428 and a below-average wRC+ of 84. His limited major league experience includes just eight plate appearances, during which he posted a .143 batting average, a .250 on-base percentage, and a .571 slugging percentage.
For the Astros, the signing of Jones comes with little downside. Since it’s a minor league deal, there is no risk to the team. Jones was once a highly regarded prospect, selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft as the 22nd overall pick. His raw athleticism and defensive flexibility made him an intriguing prospect coming out of college.
Even if he does not make significant improvements at the plate, Jones could still serve a role as a situational player. His speed makes him an ideal candidate for pinch running duties late in games, and his defensive versatility provides additional value off the bench. Should he make strides with his hitting, he could potentially contribute more meaningfully at the major league level in the future.
Overall, the Astros’ decision to bring in Greg Jones is a low-risk move with potential upside. While his offensive numbers have been inconsistent, his base-stealing ability and defensive range could help the organization in multiple ways. If he can recover from his injury and regain form, Jones could emerge as a useful depth piece or even earn a promotion depending on the team’s needs later in the season.
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