Andruw Jones' son already on All-Star path

ATLANTA -- When Andruw Jones was approached about serving as a coach during this year’s SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, he checked his son’s schedule before accepting the offer.

Fortunately, Druw Jones was also scheduled to participate in this year’s All-Star Game festivities in Denver. The young outfielder, who could be a first-round selection in the 2022 MLB Draft, will be participating in the MLB/USA Baseball All-American Game on Friday.

So, it was an easy decision for the elder Jones. The 10-time Gold Glove Award winner will travel to Colorado on Thursday, watch his son compete against some of the country’s other top amateur players and then serve as the National League’s hitting coach in Sunday’s Futures Game.

“It’s going to be fun,” the former Braves center fielder said. “He’s very humbled by getting an opportunity to go out there and be with the peers that he competes against.”

Unfortunately, the younger Jones will fly back home after Friday’s game to compete in a tournament in Atlanta. So, he won’t be around to see his dad join the NL’s coaching staff during the Futures Game. The staff will include manager Vinny Castilla, who played in Atlanta with the elder Jones during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

Jones is looking forward to the chance to spend a day surrounded by some of the game’s top prospects, including Michael Harris II and Drew Waters, who will represent the Braves during this year’s Futures Game. This is an event he wishes would have been around before he made his MLB debut at 19 years old during the 1996 season.

“I love to get up in the morning, go to [the] field and talk baseball with these kids,” Jones said. “It's just what I’ve known my whole life. I would like to share stuff that I know, and they can tell me stuff that they know. It’s a win-win situation learning together.”

Druw Jones has long had the benefit of picking his father’s brain. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound outfielder will be a senior at suburban Atlanta’s Wesleyan School. He committed to Vanderbilt University, but could end up entering the professional ranks if he is indeed one of next year’s top Draft picks.

“He's got the tools, and he's got a good instinct,” Jones said. “He’s got a good idea about what to do at the plate and when he's in the field. He’s got a good knowledge of the game. I just wish the best for him and hopefully, I’ll be here supporting and passing knowledge on to him.”