Taylor Jones

Classroom

Taylor Jones’ GPA and major reflect how seriously he takes his time in the classroom. He is an excellent student, majoring in applied communication studies with a minor in public relations, and holds a cumulative GPA of 3.50. Jones has been on Gonzaga’s President’s List for three consecutive semesters: Fall 2014, Spring 2015 and Fall 2015. He also was named to the Bronze level of the West Coast Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Jones has done a tremendous job of balancing a full course load while handling 20 hours of baseball, especially during the spring semesters when the team spends a majority of its time on the road for games in warmer climates. He has done a great job in the classroom and shows exactly what is needed to be successful.

Character

Jones has shown the willingness and personal character to make numerous sacrifices in the name of team success. He held different positions and different roles every year for his first three years. As a freshman, Jones was a two-way player, making appearances at first as a sub while also pitching in relief. In his sophomore year, he spent more time on the mound in a starting spot while picking up DH duties in numerous games. He broke onto the scene as a junior in yet another position as the starting first baseman. Throughout all this change, Jones has adapted and always put the team’s needs above his own. Along with the starting first base job came the expectations of his make big plays and collecting big hits, which he handled well. Even though there was a change to him on the field, Jones still continued to lead the best way he knew: by example. Being a senior in 2016 has only furthered his leadership and character. He’s the first one on the field, helping freshman when things don’t make sense, and he’s a valued teammate, one with an open ear and huge smile who will have another’s best intentions at heart.

Community

Jones has done an outstanding job of helping out the Spokane community and encouraging his teammates to do the same. Service is a huge component for Gonzaga and specifically for the baseball team, which donated more than 450 hours of community service during the Fall 2015 semester, and Jones was involved in all aspects. He has donated time to each of the following organizations and events in Spokane: Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund walk, Muscular Dystrophy Association walk, Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charites’ Trunk or Treat, West Coast Conference Cross Country Championship, Catholic Charites leaf raking, Jake Spring Memorial field dedication, Spokane Little League team visits, Catholic Charities food drive collection, and Boys and Girls Club visits. However, Jones and the team not only are active during the fall. They’re still out there doing good during the season, too.

Competition

As mentioned before, Jones’ role on the squad changed numerous times before he settled into the starting first baseman/power bat he’s developed. As a freshman he was a reliever, either on the mound or at first, and as a sophomore in 2014 he grew into a starting pitcher, getting the nod 14 times, going 4-3 and posting the best batting average against all of the typical starters. In 2015, he broke into the lineup in a big way, finishing second in the West Coast Conference with a .358 batting average (first in WCC play at .422). He set career highs in every offensive category, finishing second on the team with a .545 slugging percentage and .414 on-base percentage. He also posted 30 RBIs and 14 extra-base hits, including five home runs. The breakout year earned Jones first-team All-WCC honors, and he also was honored by the WCC coaches prior to this season by earning preseason All-WCC.