Spencer Jones' latest feat should seal his Yankees roster spot in September

Going into the season there were some legitimate questions about New York Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones. The mountainous outfielder had light tower power, but serious holes in his swing led many to wonder if he'd ever be able to tap into it on a consistent enough basis to be an everyday major leaguer.

The concern hit an all-time high last season when Jones reached Double-A and struck out an eye-popping 36.8% of the time while hitting just 17 homers. Of course, power isn't his only tool. At 6-foot-7, Jones moves incredibly well. He has proven himself to be a demon on the basepaths and an asset in center field. But all would be for naught if he couldn't consistently make contact.

Those concerns, and Jones's lack of progress in addressing his primary deficiency since being drafted in the first round in 2022, made him look like prime trade bait early in the season. The early going saw him start at Double-A Somerset for the second straight year, and at 24 years old he was no longer young for the level. The power started to kick in — 16 homers and a .320 ISO through 49 games — but the strikeout woes persisted with a 33.7% K rate. Was Jones putting it all together, or was he a chip the Yankees should sell high on at the trade deadline? Jones began to answer that question with his June 28 promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Spencer Jones has erased all doubt that he deserves a roster spot with the Yankees in September

Jones has now played 39 games at the Triple-A level, and despite the jump in competition, he's continued the tear he started the season on, and even improved upon it. At the minors' highest level, Jones has brought his strikeout rate under 30% while upping his power output even further, if you can believe that.

His latest game on August 20 saw him connect on a towering 443-foot shot to right-center for his 15th homer in 156 Triple-A at bats. The blast ties him for the minor league lead with 31 dingers on the year.

Moreover, it hasn't been a feast-or-famine type of season for the young slugger. Jones is pushing .300 at Triple-A with a .296 average at the level, and his hitting .284 combined between both levels this year. He's also swiped 25 bags, making it known that he's got a shed full of tools.

His dominance this season cannot be overstated, and with rosters set to expand in September, there should be little doubt that his spot is secured. It may only be a cup of coffee, but with Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham both being impending free agents, the Yankees likely will have a need for a power-hitting lefty bat in the outfield in 2026, and Jones's eruption has put him on the fast track to take up that mantle.