Pirates Pitcher Responds To Team’s Ironic Draft Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Jared Jones in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft.

The Pirates then selected Jared Jones in the ninth round of the 2025 MLB Draft on Monday.

No, that’s not a typo. The former is Pittsburgh’s 23-year-old starting pitcher who is out for the entire 2025 season and the latter is a first baseman out of LSU who the Pirates chose with the 263rd overall pick.

The young hurler posted to X on Monday following the news.

two is better than one, right? https://t.co/ppnIrZ8tPn

— jared jones (@jared_jones_17) July 14, 2025

The member of the 2025 NCAA champion Tigers squad is the 101st-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson also posted on social media after the 21-year-old slugger was drafted.

2 National Titles, 64 Career Home Runs, one of best players I have ever coached. Steal of the draft for the Pirates. Thank you Jared! https://t.co/ALmUrC0h2Q

— Jay Johnson (@LSUCoachJ) July 14, 2025

The Pirates are hoping to have the elder Jones back and healthy for the 2026 campaign. The right-hander showed glimpses of potential stardom during his 2024 rookie season, finishing 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 132 strikeouts across 121 2/3 innings pitched covering 22 starts.

Fans in Pittsburgh got a taste of what a top of the rotation headed by Jones and Paul Skenes could be last year and now, they’ve got another Jared Jones to welcome to the organization.

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