The Situation: With the Tigers still in the thick of the playoff chase, they continue to look for offensive support while Nick Castellanos and Cameron Maybin deal with injuries. Jones gets the call after Casey McGehee struggled in the big leagues, and bringing him up now affords the Tigers the opportunity to use him on the 25-man roster in October, if they so choose.

Background: Drafted with the 87th-overall pick by the Pirates in 2013, Jones was traded to the Tigers in exchange for Joakim Soria at last year's trade deadline. After serving a 50-game suspension for recreational drugs during the Arizona Fall League and the start of the 2016 season, Jones returned to Double-A this summer, before a promotion to Triple-A Toledo.

Scouting Report: Jones has tantalized scouts with his raw athleticism and chiseled physique since he was a freshman at LSU. Though his on-field results have been erratic, his raw ability remains intriguing and worthy of big league attention.

Offensively, Jones offers plus speed that plays down the line and on the bases. He is an explosive athlete that gets up to speed quickly and is aggressive when running the bases. He has improved his reads and instincts throughout his pro career, making him a legitimate stolen base threat. In addition to his speed, Jones offers above-average bat speed that generates impressive exit velocity and hard line drives from line to line. In a perfect world, Jones' bat speed would result in above-average to plus power, but his inability to develop his hit tool has held back his entire offensive game. An aggressive hitter, Jones swings early and often with little regard for situation, pitch type, or location, making his hard contact all too infrequent. In the end, with a hit tool that projects to below-average even with the most optimistic of scouts, Jones' power tends to play in the 12-15 home run, fringe-average realm as well.

In the field, Jones' athleticism has yet to translate to comfort and a defensive home. While he moves well and has the quick twitch athleticism to handle the middle of the dirt, Jones lacks the instincts or hands for the position. At third base, his plus arm plays well, but he is too often caught in between on hops and doesn't consistently receive the ball cleanly, making the overall package a bit clunky and unlikely to play on an everyday basis. The Tigers have given Jones ample opportunity in the outfield as well, where he has been solid, if unspectacular.

With a glove that can survive at five or six positions, albeit not at a level clubs would tolerate for an extended stretch, and an offensive game that is not devoid of ability, Jones has promise as a versatile utility player that provides some speed and pop to the lineup and/or bench.

Immediate Big-League Future: Jones will have an opportunity to play third base consistently until Nick Castellanos returns from a broken hand near the end of the season. Given the limited production the club has received from the position in Castellanos' absence, and the long-term potential they believe Jones owns, he will likely get a lengthy leash that could prove beneficial for his development. Once Castellanos returns, Jones could easily slide into his likely long-term utility role and help the club during the playoffs. —Mark Anderson