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CWS experience was a valuable lesson for Jones, and he said he chose to use that time and the regular season as a learning experi- ence. "I felt like I've been able to build off that and further my career," he noted. That opportunity to take the next step in his career journey came last season on April 17. Virginia ace Nathan Kirby left his start against Miami after three frames with a strained left lat muscle. That injury propelled Jones into the Friday night starter role. That's when things really seemed to come together. In that Friday starter role, Jones went 3-1 while posting 62 strikeouts in 64 innings. He worked at least six innings in all nine starts and Virginia went 7-2 in those games. Jones began this season where he finished 2015, serving as the Friday starter and living up to the expectations. Heading into the ACC Tournament, the third-year hurler was tied for the ACC lead in wins with 11, led the ACC with 92 1 ⁄3 innings pitched, and was seventh in both ERA (2.05) and opponents' batting average against (.216). As critical as the wins are, head coach Brian O'Connor appreciates the fact that Jones has gone deep into his starts, especially as the pitching foundered early in the season. Jones has tossed seven or more innings in nine of 13 starts, including three compete games in his last six outings. "I think Connor Jones pitching deep into ballgames, really all year but especially late in the season, is definitely a sign of maturity," O'Connor said. "He's not somebody that gets caught up with the velocity on the scoreboard or the strikeouts, he's pitching to contact, he's going after hitters and all of a sudden you look up and he's deep into the game, and now he's an 11-game winner." The maturity O'Connor references began with that highly touted flame thrower that worked for two years to become an excel- lent pitcher and one who could go deep into games. "The responsibility of a starter, you're go- ing to go out there and try and keep your team in it for as long as you can," Jones said. "I've certainly come to learn that pitching here for this program." Jones' development and ability to extend himself has positioned him well to hear his name called again, this time very early in the MLB Draft later this month. In May, Base- ball America projected that Jones will be selected by the Los Angeles Angels No. 16 overall in the first round. In addition, MLB- DraftCountdown.com had him going 12th overall in the first round to the Boston Red Sox. Kuhn said the ability to make wise choices, trust his coaches and ultimately develop into "He's not somebody that gets caught up with the velocity on the scoreboard or the strikeouts, he's pitching to con- tact, he's going after hitters and all of a sudden you look up and he's deep into the game, and now he's an 11-game winner." HEAD COACH BRIAN O'CONNOR ON JONES