"Jones working hard to remain with Mariners...Rookie gets extra practice in outfield" -- July 22, 2006

BY CALEB BREAKEY
THE OLYMPIAN

SEATTLE -- Mariners rookie center fielder Adam Jones got some advice from Tacoma Rainiers manager Dave Brundage before trotting out to the "405" sign at Safeco Field: "It's easy to get there -- it's tough to stay there."

Jones, who doubled and had an RBI against the Red Sox last night, said he's running with Brundage's words.

"There's more work to do now than before," he said.

Jones, a converted shortstop, meets with Mariners first base coach Mike Goff every day before games to work on defense.

Goff pushes Jones to work on ground balls, hits over his head and fly balls from various angles.

"Just try to get as much work as we can in a reasonable amount of time so he doesn't wear me out for batting practice," Jones said.

Experienced outfielders take their eyes off high, deep fly balls to get to the ball quicker, whereas young outfielders fear taking their eyes off the ball, Goff said.

The more Jones looks at the ball, the less ground he covers. The 20-year-old must learn to put his head down, sprint and pick the ball up toward the end of his route, Goff said.

Still, the first base coach said Jones' ascent as a center fielder has been "remarkable" because he's roamed outfield grass for only 10 months.

Jones' athleticism and skills learned at shortstop -- footwork and throwing accuracy -- might put his name among elite outfielders someday.

Goff said Jones' range, arm and accuracy mark him as an "above average" outfielder, the same label Goff gave to Ichiro Suzuki, Vladimir Guerrero, Vernon Wells and Mike Cameron.

Jones' arm particularly impresses Goff.

"You're going to see this kid cut some loose, along with accuracy," he said.

While Goff said the young center fielder has to work, improve and develop -- learning something new every day -- he likes Jones' shot at becoming the next Gold Glove fielder to patrol center field at Safeco.

"There's no doubt," Goff said. "He's a glider, he's smooth to the ball, (and) he covers tremendous ground with strides, like a Cameron. It's just a matter of time."

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SHORT HOPS: Jeremy Reed, who suffered a broken right thumb against Colorado, was expected to miss four to six weeks. While the thumb "feels good," Reed said it would be a week or two before he's updated on his injury timetable. ... Before the game, Willie Bloomquist charged a practice ground ball and, while running toward home, picked the ball and threw a no-look throw across his body to first base. Bloomquist then trotted back to second base with a grin. ... Ichiro Suzuki was hit by a pitch during the fifth inning by Red Sox started Kyle Snyder. Later, Mariners reliever Jake Woods knocked David Ortiz to the ground. Mariners reliever Emiliano Fruto also dropped Manny Ramirez with a wild pitch over the All-Star's head in the eighth inning. Nothing arose between the teams from the erratic pitches.