Spencer Jones may not have yet made it into the New York Yankees’ squad, but he sure has gotten a taste of that feeling. The Bombers’ favorite prospect’s tremendous improvement in spring training wasn’t hidden from anyone. From being infamous as a swing-and-miss player to having a.444 batting average, Jones has come a long way. But it was not just his hitting that improved in the camp; Jones also learned a thing or two about leadership from the captain, Aaron Judge.

Fans have compared Jones with All Rise since his arrival on the scene. Those comparisons aren’t really confusing. After all, Jones’ height, his athleticism, and his center-field prowess all mirror Aaron Judge. So naturally, when the two came together in the Bronx Bombers’ training camp, fireworks flew. Judge saw a rookie who needed guidance, and Jones saw a leader who never let go of his responsibilities.

In an interview with The Athletic, Spencer Jones talked about his experience in Spring Training. The slugger was happy with the fact that he had captured everyone’s attention with his extraordinary hitting skills. But then who caught Spencer Jones’ attention in the entire Yankees’ clubhouse? He quickly pointed to a “cool” moment with Judge that answered that question.

Jones shared how Judge always ensured that he was available to anyone who needed help. “It’s the coolest thing ever,” Jones said, referring to how Judge treated him. “He doesn’t care who you are, what you know, or what your role in the organization is. He’s always going to come up and say hi.” Later, Jones noted how Judge’s tendency to always communicate with the minor leaguers makes him a club favorite. “Having somebody like that to lead the team is obviously ahead of a lot of other places. It’s pretty special,” Jones said. 

However, while Jones loved talking about All Rise, he was also full of gratitude for the Yankees’ coaching staff. They were the ones who instilled confidence in Jones to improve his contact skills.

How the Yankees prospect broke the bad habit and kicked into another gear

Jones shared that he gives a “lot of credit” to the New York Yankees’ coaching staff, who gave him the freedom to do things in a way that suited him. The improvement was clearly visible. From striking out 28.9 percent of times last season, Jones didn’t swing and missed his first 78 pitches in Spring Training. With more contact hitting and more base hits, Jones’ potential skyrocketed. 

While before the Spring Training, it was speculated that he might need another year before making his MLB debut, the talks changed after this Spring. Suddenly, fans began hoping that Jones would be given an opportunity this season. It has certainly made Jones happy. “I think I validated a lot of the work I did this offseason,” the popular Yankees’ prospect declared.

The Yankees are certainly in a great place. Their youngsters are firing on all cylinders, and then there’s Spencer Jones waiting in the wings. That’s an ominous sign for the entire league.

Read more: Will Prospect Spencer Jones Make his MLB Debut in 2024?