Detroit Tigers: Top Five Moments of 2017

The Detroit Tigers originally acquired Jacoby Jones at the trade deadline in 2015 for reliever Joakim Soria. Jones immediately impressed his new organization, blasting three home runs in his first game at Double-A.

Late in 2016 he got a chance to prove what he could do in the majors, receiving 28 at-bats as a September call-up. Although he only hit .214, he showed enough promise to make the Opening Day Roster in 2017. He even drew the start in center field, hitting eighth.

Jones immediately rewarded the Tigers for that decision, showing off his highly-touted power and speed in the contest.

In his first at-bat of the 2017 season, Jones faced off against All-Star left-hander Jose Quintana, then with the Chicago White Sox. With two outs and two men on, Jones lifted a fastball down the left field line and into the seats for a three-run home run.

Not to be outdone, Jones reached base again in the sixth inning. He stole second base off reliever Jake Petricka, giving the Tigers not only their first home run of the season but their first stolen base as well.

Jones is what scouts call a “toolsy” outfielder. He has power, speed, strong defensive instincts and a solid throwing arm. He still has plenty of holes in his game (most notably strikeouts) but he gave Tigers fans a good look at what he is capable of right from the get go last season.

Although his final season numbers (.170 average, three home runs, six stolen bases) are underwhelming, the 25-year-old still has time to find his groove and become a double-digit home run and stolen base threat in Detroit’s lineup for years to come.