The biggest surprise among local products in summer college baseball leagues might be James Jones, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from Ballard Memorial that just completed his sophomore season at John A. Logan.
Jones has sparkled this summer while pitching for Battle Creek (Mich.) in the Northwoods League, one of the nation's better summer leagues. Jones is 3-0 in the league's top 10 in ERA with a 1.60 mark. Control has been an issue for Jones in the past, but in 33 2/3 innings, he's allowed 27 hits to go with 10 walks and 22 strikeouts.
He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round of the amateur draft, but remains committed to Louisiana-Monroe. He originally signed with Lipscomb, but was granted a release when that school's pitching coach — with whom he had established a good relationship — left for Louisiana-Monroe.
Jones expects to pitch one year at Louisiana-Monroe with an eye toward next year's draft, but he will listen to an Indians' offer later this summer. The deadline for signing this year's draftees is Aug. 15.
Two other local players are in the Northwoods League. Michigan State shortstop Jonathan Roof (St. Mary) is hitting .336 for St. Cloud (Minn.) with 12 stolen bases. Kentucky outfielder Chad Wright (Heath) is hitting .267 for the Wausau-based Wisconsin Woodchucks and is second in the league with 18 stolen bases.
Middle Tennessee pitcher Chad Edwards (Reidland) is 1-1 with a 1.33 ERA in his second season as one of the top pitchers for Dubois County (Ind.) of the Prospect League, which merged with the Central Illinois Collegiate League last year. In 20 innings, Edwards has allowed 17 hits with four walks and 13 strikeouts.
In the Kitty League, Carlisle County product Tim Dunn is 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA for the Fulton Railroaders. In 31 2/3 innings, he has allowed 24 hits with 10 walks and 32 strikeouts. He is in the Kitty League's top 10 in ERA. Dunn, who was drafted by Cincinnati last month, will meet with the Reds to discuss a potential signing later this summer.
Heath product Drew Williams, who plays at Morehead State, is struggling this summer, hitting .111 for the Maroion Bobcats after sitting out the college season in the spring with a broken wrist.
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