Yankees Top Prospect Is the Face of Free Swingers, Seductive Power, and a Lot of Whiffing
They say that even a broken clock is right twice a day, and that perfectly summarizes the eye test for a certain top prospect in the Yankees system this spring. The power is seductive, especially when coming from the left side. However, the problem is that making contact is the only time he’s making an impact. While the sample size may be small so far, it reflects what the numbers have suggested all along: the power is real, but consistent contact remains elusive.
Spencer Jones does plenty of things well. He does things that make scouts and fans alike dream about his potential. At six-foot-six, he’s a physical specimen with legitimate left-handed power, the kind that can change the game with one swing. His speed and range in center field are rare for a player his size, and his strong arm only adds to his defensive value. In the Minor Leagues, he also showed patience at the plate, drawing walks and swiping bases, hinting at a well-rounded offensive game. The fact that Jones was working out in Tampa before spring training implies that the Yankees want to activate him at some juncture of this upcoming season. The shunning of outfield free agents is an indication that Brian Cashman sees Jones as a possible future once Trent Grisham and his one-year wonder deal expire. If he can display all the tools, the Yankees may even look into trading Trent when they are eligible to do so if he turns back into a pumpkin.
However, despite possessing all these tools, Jones continues to pigeonhole himself as a pure power hitter, an identity the Yankees already have in abundance. His approach has become increasingly focused on launching balls out of the park, often at the expense of making consistent contact. The result is a rising strikeout rate and a declining ability to get on base or use his speed to create havoc. The Yankees’ roster is already filled with hitters who can mash home runs but struggle to hit for average and get on base. For Jones to truly stand out and carve out a meaningful role, he’ll need to embrace his full skill set, becoming a threat to walk, run, and hit to all fields, not just another all-or-nothing slugger in a lineup full of them. He is endeavoring to stand out from the rest, starting with his plate positioning.
His batting stance is an exaggerated imitation of Shohei Ohtani, the multiple-time MVP from the two-time world champion Los Angeles Dodgers, and he’s made no secret that Ohtani’s setup is his template. Jones stands with his back end jutting out, left foot angled out, Rod Carew-like, then stepping into the pitch just before it arrives, a posture that looks awkward and unnatural when he first started displaying it. One of the biggest challenges for Jones has been his long, sweeping swing, which often hinders his ability to make consistent, quick contact. This flaw has led him to constantly tinker with his stance, searching for a solution that will keep him balanced and shorten his swing path. In his latest reset, he’s settled on the Ohtani stance in hopes of finding that balance, but so far, the frequent changes have only kept him from developing a natural, repeatable approach at the plate. Until he finds a stance and swing that works for him, not just for a superstar he admires, Jones will continue to struggle to unlock his full potential. Yet, as time has passed, it has looked smoother.
Jones’ belief in his new stance may well be a turning point, but it’s important to remember that hitting titanic home runs has never been his problem; he’s always been able to wow with raw power. The numbers, however, paint a clear picture: it’s been a home run or nothing. For Jones to secure a lasting role and achieve true relevance at the major league level, he’ll need to combine those jaw-dropping blasts with the more subtle skills he displayed against the Minnesota Twins today. In a game where the Yankees hit home run after home run, Jones stood out for those who look at the game more meticulously.
The walk that forced in a run, the productive ground out instead of another strikeout, and, yes, his third home run in as many games, all point to a player who may be on his way to rounding out his game. If Jones can consistently blend his obvious power with patience and situational hitting, he’ll become much more than just a highlight-reel slugger; he’ll be a true asset for the Yankees’ future. He already is major-league ready in the outfield. He just needs to make consistent contact. Spencer may be able to seduce with mighty power shots and terrific whiffs. However, what will keep the public's attention and forge confidence in his play from a not-so-convinced organization is getting on base, using his speed to steal bases and score runs, in addition to clearing the fences regularly while utilizing the entire field. He can be the total package, more than one-dimensional, because he already is. He just has to get the bat on the ball more often to show it.
