The New York Yankees know they have one of the best outfield prospects in baseball in Spencer Jones. He has a reputation for hitting home runs.
But the one he in spring training on Saturday was just incredible.
Batting against the Detroit Tigers at the Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., Jones stepped up in the fifth inning against Tigers pitcher Mason Englert and hit his first home run of the spring.
It wasn’t just a home run, though. The left-handed hitting Jones hit it like a golf shot and set the ball towering into the sky. MLB.com estimated that ball traveled 470 feet. The wind was blowing out to right field, reported MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, but the ball still landed over the bullpens and onto the concourse.
It just one reason why he’s considered the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect by MLB.com. It is also the reason three separate teams wanted him in either trades or proposed trades, including the deal the Yankees eventually struck to acquire Juan Soto.
When the Yankees showed interest in Corbin Burnes when he was still in Milwaukee, Jones was part of the Brewers’ ask in return. Burnes ended up in Baltimore. Same went for a potential deal to try and acquire Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease.
The Yankees said no on all three occasions, signaling they see a big future for him in the Bronx — or that they want a much bigger return.
Jones reached Double-A Somerset last year and slashed .267/.336/.444/.780 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI, along with 29 doubles and four triples.
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