Guardians Season in Review: Nolan Jones
Nolan Jones was widely viewed as the most doubted player on the Guardians’ 2025 roster. Fans often considered him their least favorite Guardian outside of gamblers.
2025 Performance Overview
Jones posted a .211/.296/.304 slash line, resulting in a 72 wRC+. Among major league outfielders with 400 or more plate appearances, he ranked second worst in wRC+, only ahead of Brenton Doyle, known mostly for his defensive skills in center field.
- Angel Martinez slightly outperformed Jones with a 74 wRC+, highlighting the offensive struggles of the Guardians’ outfield.
- Daniel Schneemann ranked fifth worst with a 79 wRC+.
Underlying Metrics and Potential
Interestingly, Jones’ expected weighted on-base average (wOBA)—which measures the quality of his batted balls—was .308, the fifth best on the team. A .308 wOBA corresponds to approximately 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.”
At that level, Jones would likely have achieved about 1 win above replacement (WAR), sparking discussion about whether a Jones-Martinez platoon in centerfield could be effective for the team in 2026.
Summary
Nolan Jones struggled offensively in 2025 but showed signs of better underlying performance, suggesting he might be a valuable player if he meets his expected potential.