Guardians Season in Review: Nolan Jones
Nolan Jones was one of the most questioned players on the Guardians' 2025 roster. Among fans, he might be considered the least favorite Guardian (excluding gamblers).
Performance Overview
In 2025, Jones recorded a .211/.296/.304 slash line with a 72 wRC+. Among major league outfielders with 400 or more plate appearances, his wRC+ ranked second-worst, only ahead of Brenton Doyle, who is known for strong defensive skills in centerfield.
- Angel Martinez ranked slightly better with a 74 wRC+, highlighting the Guardians' offensive struggles in the outfield.
- Daniel Schneemann was also among the lowest, with a 79 wRC+.
Advanced Metrics Insight
Interestingly, Jones’ expected weighted on base average (wOBA), which measures the quality of his batted balls, ranked fifth best on the team at .308. This wOBA corresponds to roughly a 98 wRC+.
"Had Jones put up a 98 wRC+, he was roughly an average fielder in center and a below average player in right-field."
With that performance, Jones could have been worth about one win above replacement, which might have sparked discussions about the viability of a Jones-Martinez centerfield platoon in 2026.
Summary
Nolan Jones' 2025 season showed a stark contrast between traditional stats and advanced metrics, indicating potential that was not realized in overall performance.
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