Detroit Tigers outfielder Jahmai Jones has caught the attention of Korea’s national team ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to Jon Morosi.
Jones, whose mother, Michele, is of Korean descent, is eligible to represent Korea and could become one of the team’s key additions as it seeks redemption on the international stage.
A prospect who has bounced around between the Angels, Orioles, Brewers, and Yankees, Jones has found new life in 2025 with the Tigers. After a strong start with Triple-A Toledo, where he slashed .276/.392/.482 with six home runs, Jones earned a promotion to the majors in June and has made the most of the opportunity.
Through 50 games, he’s posted a .241/.340/.483 line with four home runs. The numbers tell the story of a player transforming at the plate. His 10% walk rate and 20% strikeout rate are both career-bests, reflecting improved plate discipline. Perhaps most impressively, he’s already barreled up nine balls this season, compared to just four in his previous 69 MLB games.
Jones is also hitting the ball harder than ever, with a 90.9 mph average exit velocity—ahead of names like Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez. His 20.9% pulled fly ball rate and 29.9% ground ball rate both mark career highs and lows respectively, pointing to a hitter focused on damage in the air. Statistically, his batted-ball profile now compares favorably to hitters like Trent Grisham, Will Smith, and Max Muncy.
With Korea looking to rebound from a disappointing 2023 WBC showing—where they failed to reach the second round for the third straight tournament—Jones could be a valuable piece. The national team is actively targeting Korean-American talent, following the precedent set by Tommy Edman, who became the first Korean-American to suit up for Korea in 2023.
In 2026, Jung-hoo Lee is expected to start in center field, but the corner outfield spots are up for grabs. Jones will compete with Rob Refsnyder (Red Sox), Tommy Edman (Dodgers), and top KBO talents like Hyun-min Ahn, Seong-yoon Kim, and Ja-wook Koo. Ahn currently leads the KBO with an OPS of 1.047, making him a strong candidate.
Korea opens the 2026 WBC on March 5 at the Tokyo Dome against Czechia, followed by marquee matchups with Japan on March 7 and Taiwan on March 8. They close pool play on March 9 against Australia in what could be a do-or-die contest.
If Jones continues his breakout through the rest of 2025, he’ll have a strong case to be not just on Korea’s roster—but in the starting lineup. If Korea is to get out of the first round for the first time 2009, Korean-Americans like Jones could play a big role.
Photo: Jahmai Jones reacts to his two-run triple against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
