BOSTON — Spencer Jones’ Journey with the Yankees

Spencer Jones, drafted by the Yankees in the first round of the 2019 amateur draft after his time at Vanderbilt, has a long history with the franchise, beginning when he was just 16. Back then, he was playing on the scout team in Southern California.

This is where Dave Keith, a longtime area scout, recognized Jones, who was already quite tall for his age, and reached out to his high school coach and family about having him don the pinstripes.

Reflecting on that moment, Jones shared his thoughts at Fenway Park just before going 1-for-3 in a 6-1 loss against the Red Sox. “It was fun,” he recalled, also expressing gratitude towards Keith for his guidance over the years.

“He believed in me as a hitter above all else,” Jones noted. He developed into a versatile player, impressing scouts not just with his batting skills but also as a talented left-handed pitcher.

“Looking back, it’s interesting. Many wanted me as a pitcher, but he encouraged me to focus on hitting, and I think that advice really paid off,” he added.

Keith attended a game at Fenway on Thursday and felt pleased to see Jones still wielding a bat. “He’s a big left-handed guy, and my aim was to keep it simple for him,” Keith explained. “He always had a passion for being on the field.”

Due to Tommy John surgery he underwent in college, Jones is now entirely focused on playing the outfield and made his start against Boston’s Peyton Tolle on Friday.

Interestingly, while the Yankees didn’t pick Jones out of La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, California—having been selected by the Dodgers in the 31st round, which he declined—his eventual connection with the Yankees paid off.

When Jones first entered the majors after coming up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he seemed a bit overwhelmed. Yet, during his second chance in the big leagues, he appeared considerably more confident at the plate.

Jones and Keith, who had also scouted Gerrit Cole during his high school years before moving on to UCLA, maintain a robust relationship that dates back nearly a decade. Keith has observed a parallel between Jones and Freddie Freeman, another talented player from Southern California he scouted years ago.

Both players started off lanky but matured into strong left-handed hitters. “They were athletic and had power, but also showed remarkable control in their swings,” Keith remarked, emphasizing their comfort in the batter’s box.

Adding to the comparison, Keith noted, “Spencer is incredibly athletic and can adapt as necessary. Just like Freddie, his athleticism really shines when he steps into the box. It’s rewarding to see him flourish.”

Ultimately, Jones found his way to the Yankees, humorously noting, “It’s amusing how all the signs pointed me here.”