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The Tampa Bay Rays selected Jackson Academy outfielder Tai Jones with the No. 263 overall pick in the ninth round of the 2026 MLB Draft on July 12.
The pick has a slot value of $211,200.
Jones committed to McClennan Community College on July 24, 2025, and later signed, but now has the option to forgo his collegiate eligibility and join the Rays organization. According to Perfect Game's rankings, Jones is the No. 6 highest-ranked recruit in Mississippi.
For Jackson Academy in the 2026 season, Jones had a .438 batting average with 57 hits, 49 runs scored and 51 RBIs. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder broke Jackson Academy's single-season home run record with 12. Jones was selected to the Clarion Ledger Large Class All-State and MAIS All-State teams.
He helped the Raiders to a 27-11 record as one of the top teams in the state, but they fell to eventual winner Magnolia Heights in two games during the MAIS 4A-Division I playoffs.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson Academy outfielder Tai Jones picked by Tampa Bay Rays in 2026 MLB Draft
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The pick has a slot value of $211,200.
Jones committed to McClennan Community College on July 24, 2025, and later signed, but now has the option to forgo his collegiate eligibility and join the Rays organization. According to Perfect Game's rankings, Jones is the No. 6 highest-ranked recruit in Mississippi.
Tampa Bay Rays MLB draft pick Tai Jones high school stats
For Jackson Academy in the 2026 season, Jones had a .438 batting average with 57 hits, 49 runs scored and 51 RBIs. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder broke Jackson Academy's single-season home run record with 12. Jones was selected to the Clarion Ledger Large Class All-State and MAIS All-State teams.
He helped the Raiders to a 27-11 record as one of the top teams in the state, but they fell to eventual winner Magnolia Heights in two games during the MAIS 4A-Division I playoffs.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson Academy outfielder Tai Jones picked by Tampa Bay Rays in 2026 MLB Draft
Continue reading...
