Spencer Jones’ explosive game vs. Phillies proves his swing changes are working

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Spencer Jones is turning heads this spring. The 23-year-old outfielder shined again on Tuesday, punishing the Phillies with three hits, including a towering home run, as the Yankees rolled to a 12-3 victory. He finished a triple shy of the cycle, drove in four runs, and continues to cement his status as one of the organization’s most intriguing prospects.

What’s behind this sudden surge? According to Bryan Hoch, Jones himself admitted that recent swing adjustments have him feeling “dangerous.” Judging by his performance, he’s not exaggerating.

The swing that’s changing everything

From the start, Jones looked different. In the second inning, he ripped an RBI single off Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, helping put the Yankees in control. Then, he delivered the game’s biggest blow—a three-run homer to right field off Cody Stashak. The ball left his bat at a scorching 104.3 mph and traveled 393 feet, a reminder of the raw power that has drawn comparisons to Aaron Judge.

But Jones is showing he’s more than just raw power. He later added a double, proving he can impact the ball in multiple ways. The Yankees aren’t just impressed with the numbers—they love the maturity and adjustments he’s made, especially after a disappointing 2024 season.

Yankees excited about Spencer Jones’ evolution

The Yankees have always known Jones had talent. But his biggest flaw? Strikeouts. In 2024, playing at Double-A, he struck out an alarming 200 times in 544 plate appearances—a staggering 38.8% strikeout rate.

This spring, though, things are different. Against the Phillies, he put the ball in play in all of his at-bats, something the Yankees have been desperate to see. If this continues, he could be closer to the Bronx than anyone expected.

The key difference? His swing. The mechanical changes he made in the offseason are transforming his approach. Instead of simply trying to crush the ball, Spencer Jones is finding ways to optimize his swing, make solid contact, and become a more complete hitter.

Spencer Jones wasn’t the only young Yankee to make an impact, but he’s the one grabbing all the attention. His name is becoming impossible to ignore, especially after a rough 2024.

In late February, Aaron Boone was stunned watching Jones’ revamped swing. The Yankees manager told NJ.com that there aren’t many hitters who can generate that kind of opposite-field power with such ease. Among current Yankees, perhaps only Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton possess that level of strength. Jones, standing at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, has the physical tools to match.

After working with hitting coach James Rowson, Jones has made critical adjustments to his mechanics, which have translated into better pitch recognition and more consistent contact. His raw power has always been undeniable, but now, he is beginning to refine his approach to maximize results.

The Yankees believe Jones has the potential to be a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat, but history suggests that players of his size often struggle with swing-and-miss issues. For every Aaron Judge, there’s a Dave Kingman—a player with immense power who never fully adjusted to MLB pitching.

Jones’ athleticism, however, sets him apart. In 2024, he hit .259 with 17 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases at Double-A Somerset, but his high strikeout rate was a major concern. This spring, his improved discipline has been evident, as he’s making more contact and showing a better overall approach at the plate.

Spencer Jones’ red-hot spring training performance

Through six games in spring training, Spencer Jones is slashing .429/.500/1.500 with six hits in 14 at-bats, two home runs, six RBIs, and a stolen base. His breakout performance came against the Phillies, where he went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs, proving that his swing changes are paying off. His early success suggests that he’s beginning to close the gap between raw potential and tangible results.

Spencer Jones’ ability to adjust his swing and improve his strike-zone awareness has been the biggest takeaway from his performance so far. The Yankees coaching staff has taken notice, and if he continues at this pace, he could force his way into Triple-A much sooner than expected.

During the offseason, Spencer Jones worked with a private hitting coach to refine his mechanics. His focus was on reducing strikeouts, improving pitch selection, and maintaining consistency at the plate. This spring, he’s applying that work under the watchful eyes of the Yankees’ coaching staff, who have emphasized a more disciplined approach.

The Yankees have seen flashes of this potential before. Last year, Spencer Jones hit .444 in 18 spring training at-bats, but the missing piece was consistency. Now, it seems like he’s finding it. If he continues at this level, the Yankees will face a tough decision on his next step. A strong spring could propel him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while struggles could send him back to Double-A Somerset for further refinement.

“I’m just trying to get better every day,” Jones said. “There were some things in my swing that were getting away from me, so I wanted to get back to that, keep my swing honest. I’ve definitely made some adjustments.”

The big question now is when Spencer Jones will make his MLB debut. If he keeps hitting like this, it might be sooner than anyone expected.

The Yankees have a day off Wednesday before returning to Steinbrenner Field to face the Twins on Thursday.

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