Player Journal: Adam Jones

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The first week of the season has passed and I have learned a lot being in Triple-A. The pitchers here are smarter and they go after your weaknesses and go hard. They think a little more, due to the fact that they are a little older and most of them have had big-league experience.

The game is still the same, though, but tougher for me now. I find myself thinking too much, and in this game the more you think, the more you fail. So I just need to go out there and play my game and do what I know how to do. My team is a very good team with lots of speed and good hitters from top to bottom. We are fighting to get back to the top of the PCL in order to bring a championship to Tacoma.

Now, to some of your emails.

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Since someone asked what the toughest pitch is to hit, I thought I would ask what the easiest pitch to hit would be?

P.S. -- I got to watch you play here in San Antonio last year, and I'm looking forward to your Major League career. I met you a couple times and I even caught a home run you hit in the playoffs. You signed it for me after the game and it's my prized possesion. Thanks.

That's an easy one there. A cookie is what we call it. It's a fastball, belt-high, right down the middle. When you see these pitches, you already know that the pitcher has made a huge mistake. But the only thing about these pitches are that you might have the tendency to get a big swing and miss them and be angry at yourself. You have to concentrate!

Hey Adam, is there any part of your game in particular that you feel you need to improve on before you reach the Majors? Obviously, the transition to center field from shortstop is something that will take some time to get down. But is there something, perhaps, as a hitter you feel you need to get better at before reaching the show? Thanks for taking my question and best of luck this year.

Well, there isn't just one thing that I need to improve on; there's a bunch. My overall game needs to be better. Some of the fans say that you are good and this and that, but what I see in myself is totally diferent. Just more and more reps in center field and at the plate and on the bases will help me improve in the areas that I need to in order to get to the big leagues.