La Costa Canyon star Jones excited about All-American Classic at Petco

At Petco Park on Monday, high school athletes (left to right) Mark Backstrom (JSerra in Orange County), Spencer Jones (La Costa Canyon), Garrett Frechette (Cathedral Catholic) and Derek Diamond (Ramona) were introduced.

July 10, 2018 10:30 AM PT

The scouts came out in droves — 25-30 strong — to see Eastlake High’s Grant Holman pitch against La Costa Canyon in an April tournament game. And they got exactly what they wanted as Holman lit up radar guns at 94 mph.

What they didn’t count on was left-hander Spencer Jones starting for the Mavericks and touching 93 mph.

“A bonus, an absolute bonus,” a scout said of seeing Jones.

Touted as a hitter, the 6-foot-7, 205-pound first baseman has carved out a niche at the plate, batting .414 last season with five home runs, seven doubles, three triples and 32 RBIs. He struck out just 11 times in 134 plate appearances.

Monday, Jones — who pitched just 27 1/3 innings for LCC this season and had a 4.08 ERA — was confirmed as one of three San Diego players who will participate in the Perfect Game All-American Classic on Aug. 12 at Petco Park. The game will take place after the Padres play the Phillies.

Jones, who has committed to play at Vanderbilt, will be joined in the game by Ramona pitcher/third baseman Derek Diamond and Cathedral Catholic outfielder Garrett Frechette. All three, and JSerra first baseman Mahki Backstrom, were introduced Monday at a Petco Park press conference.

Perfect Game has ranked Diamond as the No. 1 prep player in California and No. 15 in the nation. Frechette is No. 2 in the state and 24th nationally. Jones is No. 3 in California and 29th in the nation.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a hitter,” Jones said. “Now I’m not sure what I am. My fastball velocity has taken a huge jump in the last year (from 88 to 93-94). ... I’m tall, left-handed and throw hard, so the scouts are paying attention.

“I love hitting, love the challenge of that part of the game. But Dom (Johnson, a prominent local pitching coach) says I’ve only scratched the surface as a pitcher.”

In his 27 1/3 innings this season, he struck out 37 batters. But he also walked 33 and hit five batters.

“Being named to this game is validation the scouts see me as a player,” said Jones, who has played in Florida and Atlanta already this summer and will join Diamond in Chicago for the Under Armour All-American Game.

“It’s way too early to get wrapped up in draft talk, but no matter what happens, I have a great options.”

So does Diamond, Ramona’s quarterback, who’s committed to Stanford. Frechette is committed to play at San Diego State.

Padres Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman serves as the honorary chairman for the Perfect Game All-American Classic, which has raised more than $1 million for Rady Children’s Hospital.

“I love watching these guys play,” Hoffman said. “... These kids are on the doorstep of their careers. I hope they enjoy this experience.”