Yankees prospect Spencer Jones still has a lot to prove before potential promotion to big-league club
Spencer Jones of the Yankees warms up prior to the All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. Credit: Getty Images/Stacy Revere
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Spencer Jones’ stolen base in Saturday’s All-Star Futures Game was as many as the Yankees had swiped in the past two weeks.
But while there’s no substitute for speed, the rest of Jones’ highly touted skill set has some catching up to do after a sluggish start to his season. He finished May hitting .220 with a .641 OPS and struck out at a 40% clip for Double-A Somerset.
But there are signs that those days could be behind him. Jones had a torrid June, batting .296 with six homers, 29 RBIs and a .901 OPS in 26 games. Still, he has yet to become a viable option to strengthen the Yankees’ top-heavy lineup.
The Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, passed over for No. 12 Ben Rice, very much remains a work in progress as he arrived for his second straight Futures Game appearance. In his estimation, there has been progress.
“For me, it’s trust,” said Jones, who went 0-for-1 with a walk on Saturday. “It’s not thinking too much about mechanical things or whatever. It’s just going in there ready to compete. That’s something that all players learn at some point, and I’m starting to figure that out.”
Jones made it sound as if Rice, who’s two years older, was a valuable asset to his development during their time together at Somerset. He called Rice’s recent promotion “incredible” and praised his influence.
“He was one guy that was so open talking hitting,” Jones said. “I’d definitely pick his brain on just about anything and hear what he had to say about certain pitchers, because he’s so well-spoken. He knows what he’s doing and has a lot of confidence doing it.”
On Saturday, Jones teamed with good friend Marcelo Mayer, the Red Sox’s top-ranked prospect, who reminisced about facing Jones — as a pitcher — during their high school careers in San Diego.
“Same guy, great guy, he’s still 10-foot-one,” Mayer said of the 6-6 Jones. “Tremendous athlete who was throwing 97 [mph] from the left side in high school. Not many people do that. And then he hits as good as anyone I’ve seen. Couldn’t be faster.”
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
