VC Alumnus Ryan Jones Drafted by Chicago White Sox

Ryan Jones '11 has become the ninth VC alumnus to be selected in the  Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in the past decade.  He was selected in the 27th round by the Chicago White Sox, the 798th player selected overall.

Jones, who played first base and outfield most recently for Arizona Christian University, prepped at Buena High School before attending Ventura College.  He was a part-time regular his freshman season before moving to left field for his sophomore campaign in 2011.  He had a breakout year for the Pirates, earning 1st-team All-Western State Conference honors as well as an All-Southern California selection.

Jones transferred on to Vanguard University, using a redshirt season before a strong showing the summer Southern California Collegiate League led to a transfer to Arizona Christian.  In two seasons with the Firestorm, he excelled, earning a Golden State Athletic Conference Gold Glove Award as a senior, as well as setting the school's single-season home run record with 10 round-trippers. 

Jones selection makes him the second member of his family to play professional baseball as his father was a former minor league catcher in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Jones is likely to be destined for either the Arizona Rookie League or to head to the Frontier League which is short-season A ball. Tthe Pirate baseball family very proud of his efforts and we wish him best of luck on this next step of his baseball future.