While this season is looking like a lost cause for the New York Yankees, it’s safe to say that the future looks bright.
The Yankees have made multiple moves this week to cast off veterans in favor of getting younger players some at-bats down the stretch.
Top prospect Spencer Jones was promoted to Double-A Somerset on Sunday, and announced his presence in a big way Wednesday, hitting a go-ahead grand slam for his first Double-A home run.
SPENCER JONES' FIRST DOUBLE-A HOME RUN IS A GO-AHEAD GRAND SLAM!!! pic.twitter.com/ABcoM99wK9
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 31, 2023
Jones, a center fielder, sent a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence to take Somerset from down 6-4 to up 8-6. The Patriots would hold on and pick up an 11-6 victory.
The Yankees selected Jones with the 25th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and the former Vanderbilt Commodore made an impact in the organization right away, hitting a robust .344 over 25 games at the rookie league and Single-A.
In 100 games with the Single-A Hudson Valley Renegades prior to his call-up, Jones hit .268 with 13 home runs and 28 doubles, along with 35 stolen bases on the season. Jones was also one of the Yankees’ representatives at the 2023 All-Star Futures Game in Seattle this past July.
He was originally drafted in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels but chose to attend Vanderbilt instead.
Jones’ big grand slam had social media in a frenzy.
Oh hell yeah let's go https://t.co/PWgG5a7Q4z
— Chris Novak (@ChrisMNovak) August 31, 2023
Spencer Jones just crushed his first Double-A home run: 108.5 mph exit velo, 396 feet in Portland. https://t.co/s6pVz8oXHG
— Steven Cusumano (@Steven_Cusumano) August 31, 2023
For me, Jones is the jewel of the system. If he’s given time to go through the whole development process, I think he could be a monster in the bigs. There is a long way to go for that to happen, but the potential is clearly there. https://t.co/JfWOa29wmu
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) August 31, 2023
We’re gonna have him stashed in AAA next year. If the Yankees are serious, of course. https://t.co/M0cvTfSisI
— Joe DeRosa | C1 (@Show_DeRosa) August 31, 2023
Jones, Jasson, Judge outfield gonna be euphoric https://t.co/o9POg8CW8r
— J'onn J'onzz 🦧 (BACK2BACKCHAMPS) (@GIBRILWILSON) August 31, 2023
Covered this guy at Vandy … the power is insane this is not surprising at all
Jones will be up before we know it https://t.co/qwf0ZNuckE
— Niki Lattarulo (@NikiLattarulo) August 31, 2023
We’re going to see him in the Bronx this time next year (hopefully) https://t.co/VjdCDra8Is
— Matt ⚾️ (@yankeesguy93) August 31, 2023
