EXCLUSIVE: MLB Prospect Expert Throws Cold Water on Aaron Judge vs. Spencer Jones Comparisons

Aaron Judge is one of the best hitters in baseball, but is Spencer Jones the next Judge? That’s what some fans and analysts have been wondering, as the New York Yankees’ prospect has drawn comparisons to their captain for his size, athleticism, and power potential. However, not everyone is convinced that Jones can live up to the hype.

In an Exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, revered MLB insider Jim Callis explained why he thinks the Judge-Jones comparison is unfair and unrealistic.

Jim Callis says why he thinks Aaron Judge and Spencer Jones comparisons do not make sense

In the EssentiallySports exclusive interview, Callis pointed out that Jones, who stands at 6-foot-7 and weighs 215 pounds, has not shown the ability to hit fastballs consistently, which is a key skill for any successful hitter. “Until scouts tell me they see it, I’m not convinced that Spencer Jones can handle, is gonna be able to handle, just getting pounded and assailed in quality fastballs. Like, he just does not turn on pitches,” said the MLB analyst.

He also noted that Judge, who is 6-foot-8 and 282 pounds, is a rare talent who can combine power, plate discipline, and defense at a high level. “I mean, they’re similar in that they’re big guys and athletic for their size, and they have raw power, but, I… nah.”

“Aaron Judge is one of the what, the top 3 hitters in baseball? Like, like, that’s a tough one for anybody! Like, so, nah; I just… Like so I like Spencer Jones, but I have questions about him,” Callis added, indicating that he does not see him as a future star like Judge. His comments hint that Jones needs to improve his hitting approach and mechanics to prove himself as a legitimate hitter.

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The Yankees drafted Jones in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt University, where he played both outfield and pitcher. He is currently ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Yankees’ system by MLB Pipeline.

Aaron Judge, on the other hand, made his MLB debut in 2016 and has since become one of the most feared hitters in the game. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2017 when he led the league with 52 home runs and 114 RBIs. He has also been named to four All-Star teams and has won two Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove award. Currently playing as the leader of the Yankees, he, along with his team, is aiming for their 28th World Series title in 2024.

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As he reflected in the EssentiallySports exclusive interview, while Jones may have some similarities to Aaron Judge, Callis believes that the comparison is not accurate or fair. He thinks that Jones has a lot of work to do before he can be considered as a potential successor to Judge. Only time will tell whether Jones manages to truly become Judge 2.0 or not.