Yankees' top prospects George Lombard Jr, Spencer Jones tattoo Phillies' Zack Wheeler

In a game many were watching to get a gauge on Will Warren's leap forward, the New York Yankees' top offensive prospects stole the spotlight early instead.

That was through no fault of Warren's. He dismissed JT Realmuto, Bryce Harper, and Kyle Schwarber on strikes, fighting through the teeth of the Phillies' order (and, ironically, surrendering a solo homer into the wind from Max Kepler after going through that gauntlet).

The right-hander more than did his job against an assembly line of daunting foes. But George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones, against the reigning Cy Young runner-up in Zack Wheeler, were just that impressive.

After a 10-pitch first inning, the Yankees' bottom of the order worked Wheeler for 30 pitches in a three-run third frame. With two outs in the inning, after Pablo Reyes and Jorbit Vivas (welcome back!) singles, Lombard Jr. remained poised, taking Wheeler 106 MPH through the opposite field hole for an RBI single.

Yankees top prospects George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones crush Phillies ace Zack Wheeler in 2025 spring training

Lombard Jr. has looked surprisingly relaxed for the better part of a week now, and followed up his titanic Troy Tulowitzki-esque home run Monday night with a well-placed rocket against a premium brand name.

Spencer Jones, who just got leapfrogged by Lombard Jr. in MLB Pipeline's Top 30 list, was up next, and was not to be outdone. Jones worked the count to 3-0, then took a mighty late hack on a fastball to let Wheeler back into the at-bat.

Didn't matter, though. Jones overrode the doubt and took the next ball down the right field line for a RBI double, smoked into the open space.

An Austin Wells RBI single later, and suddenly, this turned from a silent frame into a big inning, cued by the offensive prospects who'll be the most under the microscope this season.

Not to be outdone, Jasson Dominguez's infield single in the third inning led to another hit parade, as Oswaldo Cabrera cashed in on a RBI single to end Wheeler's day.

Hot spring starts are no automatic indicator of year-long success, but Jones following up Lombard's statement with one of his own was exactly what the Yankees needed to see this March. Bonus points for rocking the world of someone who spent all of 2024 rocking big league All-Stars to sleep.