Guardians Season in Review: Nolan Jones
Nolan Jones was one of the most questioned players on the Guardians’ 2025 roster. If asked, many fans might name him as their least favorite non-gambler Guardian that year.
2025 Offensive Performance
Jones finished the season with a .211/.296/.304 slash line, translating to a 72 weighted runs created plus (wRC+). Among outfielders with 400 or more plate appearances in the majors, only Brenton Doyle had a worse wRC+, though Doyle is known for his strong defense in center field.
Angel Martinez had a wRC+ of 74, just slightly better than Jones, highlighting the offensive struggles of the Guardians' outfield. Additionally, Daniel Schneemann ranked fifth-worst with a 79 wRC+.
Underlying Metrics and Defensive Value
Interestingly, Jones’ expected weighted on-base average (wOBA), which measures the quality of a player's contact, was the fifth best on the team at .308. This wOBA corresponds roughly to a 98 wRC+.
If Jones had produced at that 98 wRC+ level, his value would have been closer to an average center fielder and a below-average right fielder, likely resulting in about 1 win above replacement.
"Had Jones put up a 98 wRC+, he was roughly an average fielder in center and a below average player in right-field. He would have likely achieved around 1 win above replacement and we would be potentially talking about if a Jones-Martinez combo in centerfield can be a winning platoon for the team in 2026."
Looking Ahead
Such a performance could have opened discussions about whether a Jones-Martinez platoon in center field might form a successful combination for the Guardians' 2026 season.
Summary: Nolan Jones struggled offensively in 2025 but showed promising underlying metrics that suggest he could be an average major league outfielder with better contact quality and development.
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