Get to Know 2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Pick: Eli Jones

Born in Alabama, raised in Georgia, Eli Jones has made the South his home, as he headed to South Carolina for college ball. Pitching three seasons for the Gamecocks, Jones really exploded in 2023, when he put up a 3.95 ERA and 10.4 K/9 across 54 2/3 innings. After working primarily as a reliever in 2023, Jones returned to the mound as a starter this past season.

Jones flirted with a perfect game in March this year for the Gamecocks, and he racked up 56 strikeouts across 68 2/3 innings. The Twins grabbed a moldable prospect in the righty, and are certainly looking forward to working with him as he starts his career. Before that takes place, I was able to catch up with him.

Twins Daily: As a pitcher working in one of the nation's toughest conferences, how do you feel like the SEC has set you up for success at the next level?

Eli Jones: Pitching in the SEC has definitely prepared me to better perform at the next level. Although it is not professional ball, the SEC holds the best amateur players in the country, and I had the opportunity of facing them week in and week out. I have even accumulated at-bats against current big leaguers in my time at South Carolina. 

TD: Last season you worked quite a bit out of the bullpen, and then you started almost exclusively this year. What sparked that transition, and how did it change your approach?

EJ: I think that going from the bullpen to a starter was mostly [attributable] to my growth as a player. I feel like I have had a steady track of developing, which allowed me to take on different roles at South Carolina. Going from the bullpen to a starter is definitely a transition in which I had to gradually learn how to navigate lineups two or three times.

TD: What does your repertoire look like? What pitch do you feel is your best, and where do you go when needing to locate?

EJ: I have a sinker, slider, curve, and changeup, with the sinker being my best pitch. When it is at its best, I am able to throw it at the bottom of the zone to both sides of the plate, to right- and left-handed hitters. 

TD: Is there a major-league pitcher you feel like you have modeled your game after, or someone you try to emulate? Who is your favorite?

EJ: I loved watching Walker Buehler growing up. I don’t necessarily relate to him from a pitch shaping or mechanical standpoint, but I love the way he competes on the mound. I like to think being a competitor on the mound is one of my best qualities. 

TD: The Twins pitching pipeline has taken off in recent seasons. What do you know about the organization and Minnesota as a whole?

EJ: Growing up in the South, I did not know much about the organization, but in recent years I have started to learn more while becoming a bigger fan of the game. I love the direction in which they are going and am extremely excited to get to work and be a part of something great. 

TD: How do you feel about the automated strike zone at the next level? Have you worked with that at all before?

EJ: I completely understand and am intrigued by the growth of technology in the game but I’m not quite on board with the automated strike zone. Umpires and human error have been a part of the game since the beginning and I think if the game loses that, it loses a large part of its history.

Welcome to Twins Territory, Eli!

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