Guardians Season in Review: Nolan Jones
Nolan Jones was arguably the most doubted player on the Guardians' 2025 roster. Many fans might consider him their least favorite Guardian, excluding any gamblers.
Offensive Performance
In 2025, Jones recorded a slash line of .211/.296/.304, resulting in a 72 weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). Among major league outfielders with 400 or more plate appearances, Jones posted the second-lowest wRC+, trailing only Brenton Doyle, known for his strong defense in centerfield.
To put his performance in context, Angel Martinez slightly outperformed Jones with a 74 wRC+, highlighting the offensive struggles of the Guardians' outfield. Additionally, Daniel Schneemann ranked fifth-lowest with a 79 wRC+.
Underlying Metrics
Interestingly, Jones’ expected weighted On-Base Average (wOBA), which evaluates the quality of a player’s batted balls, was .308—fifth-best on the team. A .308 wOBA approximates a 98 wRC+, suggesting his underlying skills were better than his actual output.
Had Jones achieved a 98 wRC+, with average centerfield defense and below-average rightfield play, he could have earned about 1 win above replacement.
This raises the question of whether a Jones-Martinez platoon in centerfield might become a viable, winning option for the Guardians in 2026.
Author’s summary: Nolan Jones’ 2025 statistics reveal a gap between his potential and performance, suggesting his true value might emerge with improved consistency next season.
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