MESA, Ariz. — Spencer Jones Can Hit Home Runs in the Cactus League
It seems that Spencer Jones isn’t just a Grapefruit League standout; he can also send balls over the fence in the Cactus League. After a solid performance in Florida, Jones joined the Yankees in Arizona and capped off his time in major league camp with a noteworthy two-home run show during a 15-6 loss to the Cubs.
“It was really great,” remarked coach Aaron Boone. “The home runs are real, sure, but what really stood out was the consistency in his at-bats. You could see that throughout the spring.”
Jones, who ended up hitting six home runs this spring, showcased his power against two members of the Cubs’ bullpen. In the seventh inning, he faced setup man Phil Mayton and connected with a changeup, sending a 372-foot shot into right field. Then, in the ninth inning, he faced Jacob Webb and the ball came off his bat at an impressive 164.5 mph.
The 24-year-old outfielder will kick off the season back at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he previously played 67 games last year. He’s focused on reducing his strikeouts, aiming to make a stronger impression on the major league team whenever the opportunity arises.
Coach Boone added, “No matter the outcome, we’re going to be more competitive every game.” He remarked on Jones’s progress, noting that even in tricky matchups, Jones consistently crafted solid at-bats.
On another note, the Yankees were working out whether Lewis Gil would start the season in the bullpen or head to the minor leagues after becoming the odd player out in their four-man rotation. They don’t need a fifth starter until April 11, so it seems more probable that Gil will continue to pitch in the minors rather than be used in a relief role, although Boone wasn’t ready to make any commitments just yet.
The competition for the final bullpen spot is still tight, with Cade Winquest, Brent Headrick, Jake Bird, and Osvaldo Vido all vying for a place. If Gil heads to the minors, this could mean an additional spot opens up for the bullpen.
Winquest, a Rule 5 pitcher, struggled in his outing on Monday, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk during the first inning.
As opening day approaches on Wednesday, several veteran Yankees players and pitchers headed to San Francisco on Monday night, while the rest of the team returned home for one last exhibition game against the Cubs. Interestingly, this marks the first spring training in Arizona since 1951, when the Yankees swapped spring training locations with the New York Giants.
