RICHMOND, VA: San Francisco Giants prospect Jonah Cox of the Richmond Flying Squirrels runs to third base during an Eastern League game against the Somerset Patriots at CarMax Park on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Matthew Mitrani/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
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Jonah Cox has hit his way from the ninth spot in a minor league batting order to a call up to the Major Leagues.
The San Francisco Giants summoned the 24-year-old outfielder from the Richmond Flying Squirrels before last night’s Double-A Eastern League game in Akron against the RubberDucks.
A Richmond clubhouse source said the Colorado native could make his MLB debut today in front of family and friends in Denver against the Rockies.
The Giants made moves to get Cox on both the 40-man and big-league roster.
Outfielder Harrison Bader was placed on the 10-day injured list yesterday with plantar fasciitis in his left foot and Will Brennan recalled from Triple-A two days after he was demoted. This morning, left-handed pitcher Ryan Borucki was designated for assignment and Brennan returned to Sacramento to clear a spot for Cox.
Cox opened the 2026 season with the reputation as a fast, fine-fielding outfielder trying to find a way to make more consistent contact at the plate.
Mission accomplished so far in 2026. After batting .267 and .257 the previous two years in Class A, he leads the EL in batting (.400), stolen bases (27) and triples (5).
MANCHESTER, NH: New Hampshire Fisher Cats slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bats against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium on May 18, 2018 CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X161926 TK2 )
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He is in good company. The last EL player to bat .400 over the first two months was Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He hit .402 for the 2018 New Hampshire Fisher Cats, was promoted to AAA Buffalo, and is now a five-time All-Star for the Toronto Blue Jays.
For most of the first six weeks, Cox hit ninth as a secondary leadoff guy trying to get on base and utilize his speed. A bunt single often led to a steal of second and perhaps a wild throw sending him to third.
Cox’s confidence grew and he continued to work on pitch recognition and his swing. The right-hander began slashing line drives to the opposite field and occasionally lifting the ball for a home run. He was moved up in the order and eventually to leadoff. His batting average soared to .420.
GOODYEAR, AZ: Minor-league outfielder Jonah Cox of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with teammates following a spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
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Several scouts in the stands this week were immediately impressed with his speed as well as his willingness to take an outside pitch the other way and not try to do too much.
In 44 games for Richmond he also had six homers, 11 doubles and 35 RBI.
It is rare for a player to skip Triple-A ball to get to the Majors. Among great players to do it since the MLB Draft was instituted in 1965 have been Hall of Famers George Brett, Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor and Carlos Beltran along with Miguel Cabrera, who becomes eligible for Hall voting in 2028.
Earlier this month for Forbes.com, I wrote about Cox’s career path on the way to the San Francisco Giants. You can read that article about his background here:
ForbesSan Francisco Giants Prospect Jonah Cox Adds Offense To Speed, Defense此内容由惯性聚合(RSS阅读器)自动聚合整理，仅供阅读参考。 原文来自 — 版权归原作者所有。