Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round (No. 70 overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft out of the University of Virginia ... was previously Selected by San Diego Padres in 21st round of 2013 MLB Draft but did not sign... at Virginia in 2016, he was named First-Team All-American by ABCA and NCBWA; Second-Team All-America honoree by Baseball America, was a Collegiate Baseball and D1Baseball, First-Team ABCA All-Atlantic Region honoree, First-Team All-ACC honoree at starting pitcher, was named a semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award (National Player of Year) and was named to National Pitcher of Year watch list... ranks eighth all-time at UVA with 274 IP ... Ranked fifth in ACC in innings (103.2), but first in innings per start (6.91)...in 2015, he was named to 2015 U.S. Collegiate National Team, although he withdrew after the College World Series ... also in 2015 he Led ACC in innings pitched with 115 2/3, ranked third in ACC in strikeouts (113) and tied with Louisville's Brendan McKay for ACC lead in strikeouts in ACC games (70)... in 2014, he led UVa freshmen with 25 appearances (24 out of bullpen); was second on team with 50 2/3 bullpen innings (54 2/3 total innings).
Attended Great Bridge High School, where he was ranked the No. 1 high school player in Virginia and No. 26 nationally by Perfect Game... was named 2013 First-Team All-American by Rawlings and MaxPreps... was tabbed 2013 Gatorade State Player of Year, VHSL AAA State Player of Year and MaxPreps AAA Baseball Player of Year... named First-Team All-State in 2013 ... earned 2013 Southeastern District, Eastern Region and Tidewater Player of Year honors... named 2013 First-Team All-Tidewater and All-Southeastern District... finished four-year varsity career with 22-3 record, two saves, 1.68 ERA and opponent batting average of .179... went 10-1 with 0.00 ERA in 2013 regular season (0.55 season ERA) and fired 10 shutouts in 2013... was a Member of National Honor Society and Student Council and was junior class president... parents are Wes and Kim Jones, has a sister named Taylor... his grandfather, Jim Durham, played baseball at Rider (1960-63) and his aunt, Kristen Durham, played women's basketball at Tennessee (1987-89) and was National Gatorade Player of Year coming out of high school... was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Made his Minor League debut on July 20, 2016 with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals.