Rays 9th round pick Tai Jones collected a few hits today including a line drive that was north of 100 MPH off the bat. Super physical with plenty of strength.

Nothing but love for the McLennan Baseball program! Coach Lev @JLeverton10, Coach PJ @CarmichaelPJ and Coach Stark believed in me from the beginning and treated my family with nothing but respect throughout the entire process. For any young player who’s serious about looking for a championship program with great development and coaches who genuinely invest in their players, McLennan is a special place. The numbers don’t lie‼️ My family and I will always be grateful to the Highlander family! ❤️⚾️✊🏾

Tai Jones @RaysPlayerDev

Congratulations to @2026Tai ('26) for being drafted by @RaysBaseball in the 9th Round, 263rd overall, in the 2026 @MLB Draft. He becomes the third Raider overall and second in the last three years to be drafted. #WeAreJA  #ForeverARaider

Here are the Rays draft picks: Round 1: SS Grady Emerson – Fort Worth Christian HS Comp A Pick (33): SS Taj Marchand – James Island HS Round 2: P Ben Blair – Liberty Round 3: P Gavin Giese – Dana Hills HS Round 4: OF Collin Bland – Houston HS Round 5: P Owen Kramkowski – Arizona Round 6: P Kyle Johnson – Virginia Round 7: P AJ Rice – Pickens County HS Round 8: P Griffin Long – Sonoraville HS Round 9: OF Tai Jones – Jackson Academy Round 10: P Tate McKee – Georgia Tech Round 11: P Logan Georges – Clovis HS Round 12: P Cole Stokes – Florida State Round 13: P Steven Gonzalez – Mater Academy HS Round 14: P Mason Bixby – Oklahoma Round 15: P Amp Phillips – South Carolina Round 163 P Alex Philpott – South Carolina Round 17: P McCarty English – Southern Mississippi Round 18: P Nate Smithburg – Oklahoma Round 19: P David Horn Jr. – Middle Tennessee State Round 20: P Ivan Sabater – West Broward HS

The Tampa Bay Rays have selected 6’2”/210 OF Tai Jones with the 263rd pick out of Jackson Academy (MS). An athletic physical frame with easy power/bat speed.

Jackson Academy outfielder Tai Jones picked by Tampa Bay Rays in 2026 MLB Draft clarionledger.com/story/spor…

⚾️ Jackson Academy outfielder Tai Jones has been drafted 263rd overall (9th round) in the 2026 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays

Another amazing day for our FSS alumni. 64 players that have passed through our system got the call on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft. Check out the impressive list. Congrats to all of you. The hard work is paying off. Keep it going. 🔥🔥 #WeGotNow @NB_Baseball @_JeremyBooth

Tai Jones Drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 MLB Draft: What to Know blog.youwager.lv/2026/07/12/…

Tampa Bay Rays select Jackson Academy OF Tai Jones in the 9th Round (263rd overall pick). #MLBDraft

Tai heads to Tampa! 🩵 Congratulations to @2026Tai on being selected as the 263rd overall pick in the #MLBDraft‼️

Jackson Academy outfielder Tai Jones picked by Tampa Bay Rays in 2026 MLB Draft clarionledger.com/story/spor…

Congrats to @justinword_8 (INF-1st Team), @deuce_jenkins (OF-1st Team), and @2026Tai (OF-2nd Team) for being selected to The @clarionledger All-State Baseball Teams. ARTICLE: clarionledger.com/story/spor… #WeAreJA

Let’s Go Be Great Bruh‼️ @MagicBB_Academy @B_mont_ 💪🏾💪🏾 #TheBluePrint

Congratulations to @B_mont_ on making his @MLB Debut 🚀‼️

Congrats to @deuce_jenkins (OF), @2026Tai (OF), @justinword_8 (DH) and @WhitDavis_1 (SP) for being selected to @The_Box__SA Metro Jackson Baseball Team. ARTICLE: mississippiscoreboard.com/th… Best 26 from Hinds, Madison & Rankin counties #WeAreJA  @JAraiderBSB  @msscoreboard

💪🏾💪🏾 My Guy‼️

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