When you think of San Francisco Giants prospects, Jonah Cox might not be the first name that comes to mind. But at 24 years old, this outfielder is making sure everyone knows exactly who he is—and he's doing it with a bat that's on fire.
Cox currently leads the entire Double-A Eastern League in batting with a scorching .417 average. That's not a typo. While other prospects grab headlines, Cox is quietly putting together numbers that demand attention. He's tied for the most triples in the league with four, ranks second in hits (43), on-base percentage (.474), and OPS (1.173), and is also tied for second in RBIs (29), stolen bases (19), and total bases (72).
Not bad for a sixth-round draft pick who was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics. The Giants acquired Cox in February 2024 as part of a trade that sent veteran pitcher Ross Stripling to Oakland. At the time, then-Giants director of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi explained the move: "He's a familiar name that popped out at us as we were going through the A's system. Really good athlete, can really run, can really play center field."
Zaidi noted that Cox came from a smaller college conference and would need time to adjust his bat to professional pitching. "We think with a little bit more adjustment to pro ball, the bat can come along, as well," he added. That prediction is proving prophetic.
In a recent podcast interview with Roger Munter of There R Giants, Cox opened up about the trade and his early career, showing maturity and a humble approach. He also shared what it was like learning from Athletics legend and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson—a master of the very skills Cox is now showcasing: speed, defense, and an ever-improving offensive game.
Cox signed with Oakland for a modest $300,000 as the 166th overall pick in 2023 after stealing an eye-popping 120 bases in a single season between Butler (KS) Community College and Eastern Oklahoma State. Now, with the Giants, he's proving that prospect rankings aren't everything. Sometimes, the best gems are the ones you discover along the way.