TAMPA, Fla. - When Aaron Judge talks about Spencer Jones, you can hear the excitement in his voice, like a coach who sees potential in a rising star. During Saturday’s spring training, where the Yankees dominated the Tigers 20-3, Judge was particularly impressed with Jones’ revamped approach at the plate.
Jones, standing tall at 6-foot-7 like Judge, has made some intriguing adjustments to his batting stance and footwork. These tweaks draw parallels to Shohei Ohtani's style, another MVP-caliber player.
The payoff? A second-inning leadoff homer, where Jones took a 95-mph fastball from Keider Montero and sent it soaring 408 feet over the right-field wall.
Judge, a fan of Jones not just for their physical similarities but for his raw power, keeps a close eye on promising Yankees prospects. He’s even shared some hitting wisdom with Jones, who, despite striking out frequently last season, also showcased his power with 35 homers and 29 stolen bases in Double-A and Triple-A.
Judge had a stellar spring debut himself, going 2-for-3 with two homers in just four innings. Yet, it was Jones’ performance that really caught his eye.
Speaking like a seasoned hitting coach, Judge noted, “The biggest thing is he’s just ready to hit. When that foot’s down, he’s set.
The new stance is going to help him handle those high fastballs better.”
Jones has been a familiar face in Yankees spring training, consistently displaying his power. This year, he’s aiming for an MLB debut, a goal within reach given the Yankees’ high regard for him since drafting him in the first round out of Vanderbilt in 2019.
The focus for Jones this season is reducing his strikeout rate, which was a hefty 35.4% last year. He’s been experimenting with his stance, trying to find the sweet spot between contact and power. After trying different approaches over the years, he’s now adopted a swing follow-through reminiscent of Ohtani’s.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone sees potential in these changes. “Yeah, the way they move,” Boone observed.
“Jones is working on having one complete move with his swing. His size is similar to Ohtani’s, so if he can emulate that, it’s promising.”
Jones is optimistic about the adjustments. “I’m feeling good,” he shared. “I’m focusing on getting a good feel with my hands.”
He’s not navigating these changes alone. With the Yankees’ hitting coaches and Judge as a mentor, Jones has a solid support system.
“Oh absolutely,” Jones said of Judge’s influence. “He’s the captain for a reason, always looking out for everyone.
He’s been a big help, especially this camp, always open for a conversation.”