Yankees promote Spencer Jones to Triple-A

Spencer Jones is on the doorstep of the big leagues.

How long he stays there is the big question.

One of the Yankees' top prospects pretty much from the time he was taken in the first round of the 2022 draft out of Vanderbilt, Jones on Friday was promoted from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“I’m fine with the move,” a rival American League scout who recently saw Somerset  said Friday. “You would always rather move them [prospects] while they are going good vs. a 1-for-34 stretch. He is not ready yet but needs those crafty 3A [Triple-A] guys to finish off his development.”

The scout added: “Maybe a good move to position him to trade in a month.”

Jones, who bats and throws lefthanded and has played primarily in centerfield but has seen more time in the corner outfield spots in recent weeks,  remains a highly regarded prospect, though opposing teams almost universally rate infielder George Lombard Jr. more highly. Lombard, 20, was promoted to Somerset in early May.

Jones’ slight dip in status — insofar as how other teams value him — revolves around his strikeouts. That's the reason he spent all of last season in Double-A and, even with relatively big offensive numbers this year, was not promoted until Friday.

Jones hit .259 with 17 homers, 30 doubles and a .789 OPS in 124 games in 2024 but led all minor-leaguers in strikeouts — 200 times in 482 at-bats.

In 49 games with Somerset this season, Jones, is hitting .274 with 16 homers, eight doubles and a .984 OPS. He has struck out 70 times in 175 at-bats.

“Damage is up this year and strikeout percentage is down a tick. Still not good but better,” said another rival AL scout who has been through Somerset in the last few weeks. “If he keeps it up the next couple of weeks, he’s all of a sudden a much better trade chip. I think they timed it right. He’s finally doing what he needs to be doing.”

That has especially been the case the last two weeks. Jones is 21-for-49 (.429) with six homers and a 1.346 OPS in his last 13 games (with 14 strikeouts and eight walks).

It was notable that both scouts, in separate conversations, mentioned the 6-7, 240-pound Jones as a potential trade chip, though not because the Yankees are actively shopping him. It could be an indication that he might be more available than Lombard, whom rival teams generally think of  as highly desirable yet unattainable.

The Yankees have multiple needs they’ll try to address before the July 31 trade deadline. Priority No. 1 at the moment is securing another arm for the back end of the bullpen, but rotation depth and an infield upgrade, particularly at third base,  also are high on the list, and Jones could be used as part of a blockbuster package. (There also is the industry thought that  Ben Rice, who started at catcher Friday night, could be getting showcased, though reviews on his catching outside of the Yankees’ organization are mixed at best.)

Jones has spent time with the Yankees in big-league camp during spring training the last two years. “Obviously, the size stands out, the athleticism, the speed and power really stands out,” Aaron Boone said before Friday night’s game against the A’s. “The ability to control the strike zone, he’s doing those things. Obviously still a work in progress. Trying to continue to move that needle as that overall hitter. He’s done a really good job of that and earned this promotion. Hopefully he can continue to make gains down in Triple-A.”

Notes & quotes: The Yankees have not yet decided between Allan Winans, who started for the injured Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) on Monday in Cincinnati, and Marcus Stroman to start Sunday’s game. Stroman has not pitched for the Yankees since April 11 because of left knee inflammation. “Stro’s throwing a side right now, and then we’ll kind of huddle up and see how we’re going to do it,” Boone said . . . Luis Gil, on the injured list  since the start of the season with a right lat strain, threw a simulated game Thursday in Somerset and will throw a bullpen session this weekend. Boone said Gil  will throw another simulated game next week while the Yankees are in Toronto. The club  then will decide whether or not to start him on a rehab assignment.

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.