Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones' ridiculous start at High-A shows his extreme pop

Has any MLB team fielded a 6-7 player in each corner outfield spot before? Asking for the Yankees.

Last summer, New York was linked to behemoth Vanderbilt star Spencer Jones mostly because -- let's face it -- he looks like Aaron Judge. Players that size with that much mobility don't come around very often, and when a second potential unicorn emerged (with similar exit velocities) in Jones, sending him to the Yankees in mock drafts seemed like fun.

It's unclear how many prospect experts actually thought they'd take the plunge, though. But with Pick No. 25, the Yankees listened to conventional wisdom and did what the rest of MLB was too scared to do.

They bet that there might just be another Aaron Judge roaming the plains of this great nation. As of now, it seems like a good bet.

Jones scorched the baseball down the stretch in Tampa in his pro debut. His tools shined in spring training. His off-field persona earned Judge-like platitudes. And, true to form, he started his 2023 season by sending baseballs into orbit in Hudson Valley, losing two somewhere in the troposphere on Taco Tuesday.

Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones might not be at High-A Hudson Valley for long

If you want to catch Jones in a Cider Donuts jersey, you might want to head up to Fishkill, NY soon. Somerset, NJ is calling.

Jones entered 2023 as a top helium alert candidate. Most prospect experts seemed to want to place him in their top-100 lists, but were too afraid to take the plunge, given the lack of minor-league reps and fluke potential (and, again, how many Judges can their possibly be?).

So far, it seems like Jones could be cracking some countdowns by the All-Star break. Hell, the Futures Game likes a spectacle. Who's confidently willing to bet he won't be in Seattle?

Through six games, Jones has had his way with professional pitching, pasting both patios beyond the right and left-field walls. He's been an extra base machine. His long swing and expanded frame haven't held him back. Including one 0-fer, he's still hitting .385 with a hilarious 1.299 OPS.

But, when he hits his first slump, he's got a pretty knowledgeable mentor just a phone call away. That'll help.