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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Thorsby High School alumnus and Texas A&M University pitcher Tanner Jones’ dream came true on July 15 as he was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. The Aggies’ pitcher was selected as the No. 167 overall pick in the draft coming off his junior season in College Station, Texas.

“I have been dreaming of this since I was four years old, so this is a longtime dream come true, but now the work has just begun,” Jones said.

Going into the draft, Jones knew he would likely be selected on day two, but was not sure at what point. From 1-3 p.m., the nerves were enhanced as the likelihood of him being selected grew. Jones and his family were sitting on the couch inside their Chilton County home when his phone rang. It was his agent, informing him about the Royals offer to him to select him in the sixth round. Jones accepted the offer, and became the newest Kansas City Royal.

“It was a no-brainer for me,” Jones said. “I accepted it, and I saw my name on TV. I am extremely grateful for it.”

Jones grew up in Chilton County playing baseball, attended Thorsby and quickly became a standout pitcher for the Rebels. He was a huge Derek Jeter fan growing up, but his favorite team throughout middle and high school was the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the Kansas City Royals’ biggest rivals.

Jones was a multiple time All-State selection and graduated from Thorsby in 2021. He is the first and only student athlete from the school to sign with an NCAA Division I program, choosing Jacksonville State University to continue his baseball career. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Jacksonville State compiling 127 strikeouts in 131 and one-third innings across both seasons.

As the coaching staff at JSU went through some turnover following the 2023 season, Jones elected to enter the transfer portal. He was ranked as the No. 86 transfer for the 2024 season by D1Baseball.com, and he signed with Texas A&M for his junior season. Jones became a weekend starter for the Aggies immediately and went 3-1 in 2024 with 48 and one-third innings pitched and a 6.33 ERA. He had 47 strikeouts in his lone season with the Aggies, and a season-high eight against the University of Rhode Island on March 9.

Jones was recognized by Chilton County Schools Superintendent Corey Clements, and his former principal at Thorsby, at the school system’s board meeting on July 16. A few days later, Jones flew to Arizona on July 18 to join the ACL Royals in the Arizona Complex League for rookie ball to start his professional baseball career.

Jones said he is excited about the opportunity with the Royals, and one day pitching to Royals starting catcher and future MLB Hall of Famer Salvador Perez and completing his journey to the big leagues, is now the goal.