The buzz around Spencer Jones is building to a fever pitch, and for good reason. Standing an imposing 6-foot-6 with a left-handed swing that already has scouts drooling, the Yankees’ top prospect is a force to be reckoned with—once he gets the chance to show it on the big stage. Now, don’t get it twisted: while we might not see Jones don the famous pinstripes tomorrow, the anticipation is real.

He’s got some hurdles to clear in the minors before he can truly step into the spotlight, but let’s be honest—he’s not exactly the kind of player who backs down from a challenge. Jones might not have to look far if he is looking for a player to look up to; Aaron Judge is right there in the Yanks lineup. Judge is 6’ 7” and Jones is 6’ 6”, both are big guys, and Jones could learn from the power-hitting Judge how to improve and balance his swing. 

Spencer Jones looks forward to spring training and Aaron Judge 

In a video interview with Yes Network, Spencer Jones is asked, “Can you take anything from him (Aaron Judge)? or is it just so dissimilar cause you’re at the other side of the play?” To which Spencer replied, “I mean there is definity a lot to learn from him. He is, you know, an incredible hitter. He has been for the last decade. it’s one of those things that when I get spring training I have more questions now than i had ever before as far as what he does.” Jones further added that he is excited to with Judge this spring and is looking forward to it.  

Spencer Jones’ 2024 season at Double-A was a rollercoaster, no doubt about it. On one hand, you’ve got the dazzling highlights: 17 home runs, 30 doubles, and 78 RBI in 122 games. But, of course, there’s the other side of the coin. The strikeouts. Oh, the strikeouts. A staggering 200 punchouts. That’s not just a tough number to swallow; it’s a franchise record for any Yankees minor leaguer. To make matters more striking, Jones’ 36.8% strikeout rate was the highest among all qualified Double-A hitters. Yikes.

So, what’s next for Jones? It’s about getting into the lab and refining that approach. While this Yankee prospect works on himself, there’s another top prospect of the pinstripes. 

2025 could be the year we see the rise of the Martian in the Bronx

Jasson Dominguez, New York’s top prospect and one of the most exciting talents in all of baseball, is ready to take over. At just 21 years old (he’ll turn 22 in February), Dominguez is already a force. Nicknamed “The Martian” for his otherworldly skill set, this switch-hitting phenom has already dazzled in his brief major league appearances, even though his last couple of years have been marred by injuries. 

But now, all signs point to him stepping up as a regular in 2025. And with the tools he’s got? It could be a special season. Here’s the big question for 2025, though: Where’s he going to play? It’s not a matter of whether Dominguez will get a spot on the roster; it’s more about where he’ll line up in the outfield. Most projections right now have Dominguez near the bottom of the order. Sure, you’ve got Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm, two exciting players in their own right, who could be slotted at the top of the lineup. But imagine Dominguez leading off in front of Aaron Judge. 

Last year, Gleyber Torres was the leadoff man for the Yankees, especially after they started shuffling their lineup in the second half of the season and the playoffs. He did a solid job, no doubt, getting on base and setting the stage for the big bats. But let’s be real—Torres’ leadoff spot was a bit of a patchwork solution. The Yankees know they need more consistency from the top of the lineup if they want to compete for the long haul. And who better to provide that spark than Dominguez, with his mix of speed, power, and a switch-hitting approach that keeps pitchers on their toes?