One of the most accomplished hitters to ever wear a Golden Eagle uniform, A.J. Kirby-Jones has returned to the program he led to two Ohio Valley Conference titles, taking on the title of student assistant coach after spending the previous six years in minor league and independent league baseball. 

In three seasons donning the purple and gold, Kirby-Jones established himself as the program’s most lethal slugger, setting school records for home runs, RBI and slugging percentage for a career, as well as home runs, walks and slugging percentage in a single season. To this day, he still holds three single-season and one career Tech record and if you narrow the records down to players who have played just three seasons, he ranks at the top of the list in six offensive categories. He helped lead the Golden Eagles to the 2009 OVC Tournament Championship and a berth in the NCAA Regionals, as well as the 2010 OVC regular season championship.

Kirby-Jones put together a stellar career, but it was his 2010 campaign that really cemented his place in both Tech and Ohio Valley Conference lore. As a junior, the right-handed hitter shattered his own program record of 20 home runs with 26 long balls, tying the league record as well. On the year, he hit .388 with 19 doubles and the 26 dingers, driving in 71 runs and scoring 64 himself. He also set the program standard with 58 walks, leading to a .531 on base percentage. He slugged .858 on the year, more than 100 points higher than any other percentage in school history. 

At the end of it all, Kirby-Jones wrapped up a three-year career having hit .347 (still ranks 16th in program history) and finishing with 207 hits (10th), 49 doubles (T-4th), 51 home runs (1st), 190 RBI (1st), 143 runs scored (T-9th), 128 walks (2nd) and a .686 slugging percentage (1st).

After littering his name throughout the Tech record books through three seasons, Kirby-Jones heard his name called in the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft as the Oakland Athletics took the slugger with the 10th pick of the ninth round. He spent five seasons in the minor leagues, tallying 64 home runs and 66 doubles, as well as 235 RBI and 248 walks, in 401 career games. 

Kirby-Jones returned to Tennessee Tech University to finish his bachelor’s degree after officially retiring from professional baseball at the conclusion of last season.