The New York Yankees are being urged to make a rather questionable decision with Spencer Jones.
New York Yankees prospect Spencer Jones lit it up in Spring Training, smashing towering home runs and posting a 1.526 OPS that had Yankees fans salivating.
Many wanted New York to promote Jones to the big leagues to begin the season, but with Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge taking up the three starting outfield spots, that was never going to happen.
Plus, it seemed like the Yankees still wanted the strikeout-prone Jones to get some more seasoning in Triple-A.
Thus far in 2026, Jones is slashing .231/.351/.500 with five homers and 24 RBI over 94 plate appearances. The power is still clearly there, as is Jones' ability to take walks. But he has also fanned 35 times, good for a whopping 37.2 percent strikeout rate.
Jones has gotten a bit better as the season has progressed, but the punchouts are still a major issue, and they could ultimately prevent the 6-foot-7, 240-pound slugger from ever actually making an impact for the Yankees' major-league squad.
However, Jason Catania of MLB.com wants to see New York make a rather questionable decision with the soon-to-be-25-year-old: bringing him up to the bigs in a bench role.
New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones. Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images."Think: A platoon/backup/pinch-hitter role where the lefty-swinging Jones could start showing what he’s capable of, even if it’s only a few games a week," Catania wrote. "Plus, that would allow the Yankees to deploy him strategically, in favorable matchups against right-handed starters or relievers."
Platoon him where, though? Both Bellinger and Grisham are left-handed hitters, and you certainly aren't going to sit Judge.
Maybe you can slide Jones into the DH role when Giancarlo Stanton gets a day off, but Stanton has been playing almost every game.
The problem with promoting Jones is that he won't be getting regular at bats, which is absolutely what he needs. Randal Grichuk is on the roster as a fourth outfielder because he is a right-handed hitter. Jones is a lefty. Where would he fit?
"Barring an injury, the most likely potential role would have Jones seeing some time in center, filling in at the outfield corners and/or providing a platoon partner for Stanton against tough righties," Catania continued.
Stanton hits righties just fine, though, and the Yankees are paying Grisham $22 million this season. While I am actually in support of sending Grisham to the bench and bringing up Jones, it probably won't happen.
Considering Grisham is only on a one-year deal, it stands to reason that Jones could finally reach the majors and man center field next season.
But unless Grisham continues hitting beneath the Mendoza line or there is an injury elsewhere, it's hard to see a path for Jones in 2026.
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