On Wednesday afternoon, Spencer Jones really turned it up with an impressive home run.
The Yankees’ power-hitting outfielder helped his team get on the board early in the game, smashing a 443-foot solo shot during a matchup between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Buffalo Bisons.
He faced off against former All-Star Alex Manoa in this game.
This recent homer adds to what’s been an extraordinary season for the 2022 first-round draft pick.
The Vanderbilt alum has been hitting .284/.379/.610 this year, racking up 31 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases across Double-A and Triple-A play.
Since his promotion at the end of July, Jones has already hit 15 home runs in 156 at-bats with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“He’s having a good season,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted after Jones got the call to Triple-A. “His size really stands out, you know? His athleticism, speed, and power catch your eye. Plus, he’s managing the strike zone well. He’s doing all the right things.”
However, strikeouts remain an issue for the 6-foot-7, 240-pound lefty. He’s struck out 122 times this season in 331 at-bats, translating to a strikeout rate of 31.2%, the highest in Triple-A.
Even with the high strikeout numbers, the 24-year-old Jones is starting to create some pressure on the Yankees, especially with a crowded outfield and designated hitter position.
Giancarlo Stanton has been forced to play in the outfield as a DH due to an elbow injury.
Cody Bellinger and Jasson Domínguez are competing for two outfield slots, with Trent Grisham also performing solidly.
Jones is currently ranked 91st in MLB.com’s Top 100 prospects and sits fourth among the Yankees’ prospects, trailing George Lombard Jr., Carlos Lagrange, and Cam Schlitter.
