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Just a few days ago, outfielder Daryl Jones was granted free agency by MLB, and today the 24-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Jones, a 3rd-round pick from 2005, was once a top prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system.
Jones spent 2011 with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate, hitting .260/.360/.400 while splitting time between left field and center field. After the 2008 season, when Jones hit .316/.407/.483 in 123 games split between Single-A and Double-A as a 21-year-old, Baseball America ranked Jones as the organization's fourth-best prospect, ahead of names like David Freese, Allen Craig, Daniel Descalso and Eduardo Sanchez.
Jones is regarded as a potential fourth outfielder given that he's a defensive tweener. He doesn't have the range or instincts to play in center field, and he hasn't shown the pop to consistently play in a corner. The Reds may have a solid role player on their hands though.
For more on the Cardinals, check out Viva El Birdos, SB Nation's St. Louis Cardinals blog.