The Yankees’ outfield could have a seriously new look in 2026, with Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham free agents and Jasson Dominguez’s role less certain than it appeared to be this time a year ago. Another question mark: Where might Spencer Jones fit in?
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters recently that Jones, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect and No. 99 overall per MLB Pipeline, should arrive at Spring Training with a chance to win a starting job in the team’s outfield. In fact, Cashman said Jones could’ve gotten the call down the stretch in 2025 had the Yankees outfield not been as crowded as it was.
COMPLETE YANKEES PROSPECT COVERAGE
And why not? The 24-year-old Jones put together one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the Minors, hitting .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 29 stolen bases in 116 games between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He crushed 19 homers in 67 games for Scranton and came one homer shy of the MiLB lead. He also finished fifth in the Minors in slugging, sixth in total bases (250), seventh in extra-base hits (59) and eighth in runs (102).
Drafted 25th overall out of Vanderbilt in the 2022 Draft, the Encinitas, Calif., native signed for $2,880,800 and has totaled 68 homers and 87 steals in his three full Minor League seasons. But he’s also one of the most strikeout-prone hitters in the Minors, piling up 379 punchouts in 240 games over the past two seasons.
What makes him stand out as a prospect?
It’s a lot of things, most notably the power/speed combination and Jones’ 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame. A former two-way player, Jones uses his size and athleticism to create well above-average power and produce upper-tier exit velocities. He’s not a burner but runs with long strides that allow him to cover a lot of ground quickly both on the bases and in the outfield, where he has enough range and arm strength to stick defensively long term.
Jones came one stolen base away from going 30/30 this season; as it was, he was one of four Minor League players to go 25/25 in ‘25. He brings that kind of real upside given his power and speed.
What are the biggest obstacles to reaching his ceiling?
With all that power comes significant swing-and-miss. Jones posted a 35 percent strikeout rate this season, right in line with his 33 percent rate as a pro. For comparison, Yankees infielder Ryan McMahon had the Majors’ top strikeout rate this season, at 32 percent.
Some of that stems from Jones’ naturally long left-handed swing, which can make him late on higher-end velocity fastballs especially. The Yankees have worked with him on adjustments to keep his bat on a more level plane and in the zone longer, but the history of empty contact rates against heaters is alarming for a prospect on the precipice of the big leagues.
Jones has also battled injuries at times, notably undergoing Tommy John surgery in college, an operation that ended his pitching career.
Finally, there is also the question of how the left-handed-hitting Jones will fare against left-handed pitching. His numbers plunged against southpaws this season, Jones batting .189/.318/.344 with only four homers against same-side pitching.
Who is a reasonable comp at the MLB level?
The comp Jones always gets is Aaron Judge, because of his size, power and pinstripes. Whether that’s fair or not is another question entirely. That said, it’s hard to deny Jones resembles a left-handed Judge in the box, given his open stance, leg kick and prodigious power.
Of course, Judge has always proven it’s OK to have high strikeout rates if you balance them with elite, all-time level power and production. Though to expect the latter part of that equation from any prospect is probably unrealistic. In any event, Jones does have some plate discipline, runs well for his size and has a strong arm, leading some credence to the Judge comps from a tools perspective.
When should we expect to see him in the Majors?
This winter should be big toward determining that. Jones has little left to prove in the Minors, and he’ll turn 25 next May, so he’s no spring chicken. A lot will hinge on whether the Yankees retain Bellinger and/or Grisham or choose to spend big on an outfielder in free agency. If not, Jones could arrive in camp with a legitimate shot at claiming a starting outfield spot. If the Yankees do sign an outfielder, Jones becomes a legitimate trade candidate.
