TAMPA — Spencer Jones stole the show again on Saturday, crushing two home runs in the Yankees’ 9-1 Spring Breakout win over the Blue Jays.
The Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, according to MLB.com, initially went deep in the first inning of the inaugural event, a four-day, league-wide initiative meant to showcase the top farmhands in every organization. Jones’ first homer fell short of the 470-foot bomb he hit earlier this spring, but the blast off Adam Macko traveled 399 feet at 106.5 mph to right field.
Spencer Jones gets our #SpringBreakout started 💪@NYYPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/vUXi0xZuSb
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 16, 2024
Jones then smashed a solo shot over the center field pitch clock at George M. Steinbrenner Field. That ball went 427 feet at 108.5 mph.
“That kid, he’s a specimen,” said Brock Selvidge, who started the game for the Yankees. “He’s awesome.”
While Jones, who finished with three hits and four RBI, looked like a man among boys on Saturday, he found himself studying established major leaguers when he was in big league camp earlier this spring. There, he learned how seriously major leaguers take their routines.
“They’re serious about their recovery, how they go about their business,” Jones said. “Those were the biggest takeaways that I got, for sure.”
Asked what kind of impression Jones thought he made this spring, he replied, “I don’t know. I just went out there and played. It’s always interesting going into an offseason, hoping to hit all the benchmarks and goals that you wanted to. For me, I feel good about the work that I put in. I’m excited to see how it translates to a full season.”
While Jones was the Yankees’ top attraction in the scantly-attended Spring Breakout game, he wasn’t the only one to shine.
First baseman T.J. Rumfield hit a two-run homer of his own, while infielders Jorbit Vivas and Caleb Durbin added three RBI.
On the mound, Selvidge looked dominant, striking out eight while allowing just one hit and one walk over four innings. His parents watched from the stands.
“It was very special to have them here,” the Yankees’ 11th-best prospect said. “That was kind of a game-changer for me, gave me that adrenaline and just kind of comfort that not only am I doing it for myself and my team, but I’m doing it for my family.”
No. 11 @Yankees prospect Brock Selvidge was 🔥 in his #SpringBreakout start:
4 IP
1 H
0 R
1 BB
8 K pic.twitter.com/o7YLOh1e42— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 16, 2024
Selvidge also received an assist from Andy Pettitte.
The five-time World Series champ and special assistant watched Selvidge’s pregame bullpen and gave him some advice on using his secondary pitches when Selvidge threw live batting practice in big league camp a few weeks ago.
“It’s kind of surreal. It really is. There’s no other words,” Selvidge said. “That is somebody that has done everything that I want to do. As a young pitcher, I want to do all the above. I want to win championships with my team. He’s incredible to talk to. I mean, he’s gonna give you unlimited help.”
DE LA CRUZ COMP
Shortstop Roderick Arias, the Yankees’ third-best prospect, didn’t have the best showing, going 0-for-2 with two walks, a strikeout and an errant throw in the field.
However, he considered the game a good experience, and he compared his playing style to that of Reds phenom Elly De La Cruz.
“He’s very versatile,” Arias said through an interpreter. “He’s there helping his teammates in every way that he can.”
CASH CONFIDENT JUDGE IS OK
Brian Cashman, like Aaron Boone and Aaron Judge, said that he’s not concerned about the latter’s ab issue, which forced the outfielder to take a break from swinging earlier this week and has kept him out of spring games following a clean MRI.
Cashman added that he’s not worried about Judge getting enough reps before Opening Day on March 28.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s in the rearview mirror even though he hasn’t played yet,” Cashman said. “It’s more of a timing issue rather than a concern issue. He’s a pro. He knows how to get ready to knock the rust off.”
Judge hit off the tee, did some soft toss and was thrown to in the batting cage on Saturday. His name was written in the Monday slot on Boone’s planning board, but “I’m not gonna predict anymore,” the manager said of a return to game action. “I’m not worried about it. We’ll see.”
BETTER BENCH OPTIONS?
The Yankees’ bench isn’t settled, particularly when it comes to the backup infield and super utility jobs. Internal candidates for one or both jobs include Vivas, Oswaldo Cabrera, Kevin Smith and Jahmai Jones. However, Cashman didn’t rule out external help, especially once rosters start to crunch at the end of spring training.
“I feel like we have some people that we can rely on here, but any spring, we’ll always look external, too,” he said. “We’ll see how the rest of camp plays out elsewhere, as well as trade conversations. Something that might not fit elsewhere might fit better here. I don’t know. We’ll see.”
DOMÍNGUEZ DOING WELL
Cashman said that Jasson Domínguez is progressing “nicely” in his rehab from UCL surgery. Whether the 21-year-old will return to the majors once ready remains to be seen, though.
“I can’t predict how that’s going to play out as we move forward,” Cashman said, noting that Domínguez could always spend more time at Triple-A. As of now, the Yankees have a crowded outfield, and he’s far from a finished product, though he did show that he can hit major league pitching last year.
Domínguez, who has been swinging from both sides and throwing from 75 feet, is expected to be ready some time over the summer.
SAME LINE ON SOTO
Asked about a possible extension, Cashman reiterated that he expects Juan Soto to test free agency next offseason. Scott Boras clients typically do.
“Right now, we haven’t had any conversations,” Cashman added.
