Spencer Jones and the Yankees’ Prospect List

Spencer Jones is making waves in the Bronx, but oddly enough, he didn’t make it onto Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects List. Despite an impressive season where he hit 35 home runs and had only one RBI—yes, just one—his combined OPS of .982 in Triple-A and Double-A didn’t cut it.

Interestingly, four other Yankees did make the cut, with shortstop George Lombard Jr. leading the pack at No. 46. The list also includes pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (59), 2025 first-round pick Dax Kilby (61), and pitcher Carlos LaGrange (93).

It’s been tough for Jones. Baseball America once ranked him No. 46 before the 2024 season, but then he mysteriously vanished from the list. He’s a bit of a hot topic—some people think he could pack Aaron Judge-like power, while others fret over his swing, fearing he might strike out too often.

This past season, the 24-year-old posted decent numbers: .274/.362/.571, with 35 homers, 80 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases. There’s chatter about him being part of the Yankees’ Opening Day lineup, though with Cody Bellinger re-signed, it seems he may spend more time in the minors to refine his skills—or perhaps he’ll be traded.

The presence of four Yankees on the list suggests there’s some depth in the farm system, but having Lombard as the top prospect at No. 46 also hints at a need for more elite talent. Lombard, drafted in 2023, had a disappointing season in Double-A with a .695 OPS, which is, well, a bit underwhelming.

Rodriguez-Cruz made a solid impression after joining the team through the Carlos Narvaez trade, boasting a 2.58 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 150 innings across three levels. Kilby, picked 39th in the 2025 draft, had an .898 OPS in just 18 minor league games, alongside 16 stolen bases. LaGrange rounded off the list with a 3.83 ERA and 168 strikeouts over 120 innings in Double-A and Single-A.

In a comparison of farm systems, MLB.com placed the Yankees 22nd last August. They seem a bit more optimistic about the team’s prospects than Baseball America. According to their rankings, Lombard sits at 25th, LaGrange at 74th, while Jones is at 99th. Rodriguez doesn’t rank as favorably, landing at 97th.