The Wait Will Be Worth It For Spencer Jones

New York Yankees prospect Spencer Jones has quickly made his presence known around baseball. Other teams have been interested in acquiring him during trade discussions which the Yankees have steadfastly refused. Originally a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, Jones is currently performing very well in his first spring with the big club. Some have been calling Spencer Jones another Aaron Judge. The Yankees have a special talent in their farm system and shouldn’t trade him away.

It Took Spencer Jones Just Two Years To Reach Double-A

Spencer Jones was drafted in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees out of Vanderbilt. It has taken him just two years to reach the Yankees Double-A team. During that time, Jones put up a slash line of .279/.351/.459 with 20 home runs and 78 RBI. The former Vanderbilt Commodore also put an OPS of .810 during that span as well. However, despite strong performances, Jones wasn’t included in MLB’s top 100 prospects list.

Jones Is Already Lighting It Up In Spring Training

The Yankees invited Spencer Jones as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training this year. It would be the first spring training for Jones. This spring, Jones has surpassed the Yankees’ expectations. So far in nine games, Jones has a slash line of .626/.700/1.000 with one home run and four RBI. It’s safe to say that Spencer Jones took not being included on MLB’s top 100 prospects list personally. Given the Yankees outfield situation, Spencer Jones probably won’t be making his debut until 2025 at the earliest. However, if he continues to have a strong spring, Jones might have the opportunity to begin the year in Triple-A.

The Yankees Would Be Stupid To Trade Him

For years, whenever the Yankees had a prospect perform well, they often would trade them for an established veteran player. This offseason, the Yankees have been reluctant to include Spencer Jones in any potential trade opportunity. For example, reportedly, the reason the Yankees didn’t acquire Brewers ace Corbin Burnes was because they refused to trade Jones. The Yankees knew what they had before all of us did. Given that the end is coming for Giancarlo Stanton and the impending free agencies of Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto; the Yankees would be stupid to trade him now.

Spencer Jones has been described by some as another Aaron Judge. Imagine having two players of that caliber in a line-up. Given the success Judge has had, the impending return of promising prospect Jasson Dominguez, and the possibility of signing Juan Soto long-term; the Yankees could have a loaded outfield in the next two years. The other thing that works to the Yankees’ advantage is that Jones is a left-handed hitter. Yankee Stadium is heaven for left-handed power hitters with the short porch in right field. Spencer Jones will thrive hitting the long ball at the Yankees home ballpark.

Spencer Jones Has A Bright Future

The future is too bright for Spencer Jones to even think about trading him away. There is a reason why the Yankees refused to include him in any potential trades even for Corbin Burnes. After all, it has only taken him two years to get to Double-A. Given what he’s done so far this spring, he could make the Yankees offense much more dangerous. With how tough the AL East has become; the Yankees can never have enough offensive weapons at their disposal. While it’ll take some patience before he’s ready to make his big-league debut, the wait will be worth it.

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