Tampa, Fl. – The New York Yankees farm system is heating up as three prospects continue to make headlines across the minor leagues. Spencer Jones leads all minor league players in home runs, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz dominates Double-A competition, and Brendan Beck emerges as a rising stock option after overcoming injury setbacks.
Spencer Jones reaches milestone with 30th home run
Jones, the Yankees’ most sought-after rookie, blasted his 30th home run of the season Sunday, leading all minor league hitters in the power category. The Yankees outfielder launched a 436-foot bomb for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in their 9-7 victory over Lehigh Valley.
The milestone blast was his first home run since July 24, according to the RailRiders. Jones has combined 14 home runs at Triple-A with 16 from his Double-A Somerset stint earlier this season.
The 24-year-old first-round pick from 2022 has dominated Triple-A since his promotion. In 32 Triple-A games, Jones has a .320 batting average, .704 slugging percentage and 1.104 OPS.
Jones’ 1.034 combined OPS is the best among any prospect above A-ball, according to FanGraphs. His performance explains why general manager Brian Cashman protected him at the trade deadline.
The New York Post reported the Yankees considered trading Jones only in one specific scenario.
“The Yankees made a play for Paul Skenes, understanding that was the one scenario they’d trade Spencer Jones and/or George Lombard Jr. in a much bigger package. As they promised, the Pirates said no,” Jon Heyman reported.
Jones expressed his desire to remain with the organization before the deadline.
“I was just talking to my girlfriend about this, but at the end of the day, I want to play in New York and be a part of this organization and stay loyal to it,” Jones told The Athletic. “That’s a big part of who I am and where I want to go in my career.”
MLB Pipeline currently ranks Jones as the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect and No. 92 overall.
Rodriguez-Cruz emerges as elite pitching prospect
Right-hander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz has positioned himself as a future impact player for the Yankees rotation. The 21-year-old, acquired from Boston during last year’s Winter Meetings, has thrived since his Double-A debut on July 5.
In five starts with the Somerset Patriots, the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, Rodriguez-Cruz has posted a sparkling 1.41 ERA. He has walked just eight batters while striking out 30 in 32 innings.
His recent stretch proved particularly impressive. Over two starts, Rodriguez-Cruz went 2-0, firing 13 scoreless innings and striking out 15. Both victories came against Mets No. 2 prospect Jonah Tong.
The 6-foot-3 pitcher brings multiple weapons to the mound. Rodriguez-Cruz’s fastball can climb into the high-90s with late life, making it difficult for hitters to square up. His slider serves as his go-to secondary pitch, complemented by a curveball and split-change.
According to MLB Pipeline, the 6-foot-3 righty uses his frame and athleticism to generate extension down the mound, disrupting hitters’ timing.
The Yankees plan to keep Rodriguez-Cruz at Double-A for the remainder of 2025. A Triple-A promotion appears likely for 2026 if his development continues. The organization sees him as a potential mid-rotation starter with continued refinement.
Brendan Beck’s stock rises after injury comeback
Brendan Beck has emerged as an under-the-radar prospect whose value continues climbing. The 2021 second-round pick from Stanford overcame significant injury setbacks to establish himself in the Yankees system.
MLB.com’s prospect experts highlighted Beck’s rising status in their recent rankings update.
“A 2021 second-round pick from Stanford, Beck missed all of 2022 following Tommy John surgery and all of ’24 after a subsequent elbow operation,” they wrote. “He’s back to throwing four pitches for strikes, the best of which is a low-80s slider, and has logged a 2.88 ERA, .205 average-against and 86/22 K/BB ratio in 93 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.”
MLB Pipeline ranks Beck as the Yankees’ No. 12 prospect. His scouting report emphasizes command as his strongest asset.
“Beck’s control and command stand out more than any of his four offerings, the best of which is a solid low-80s slider with impressive depth,” according to MLB Pipeline. “Beck is a good athlete who repeats his delivery while working quickly and moving his pitches around the strike zone. He might be the best strike-thrower in the system, which helps him compensate for his so-so stuff.”
Beck started Sunday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing four earned runs over five innings in the 9-7 victory. He struck out two batters while throwing 85 pitches, 53 for strikes. The performance improved his Triple-A record to 5-1 with a 4.67 ERA.
Scouts previously compared Beck to Shane Bieber during his amateur career. His current projection points to a back-of-the-rotation starter or middle reliever role.
Yankees protect top prospects at deadline
The Yankees’ recent prospect re-ranking reflects their commitment to developing homegrown talent. General manager Brian Cashman completed eight trades before the July 31 deadline but protected his top prospects.
“Like with anybody, you try to protect and stay away to the degree you can,” Cashman explained. “There’s a lot of guys that we like, and unfortunately we parted with guys we like. That’s just the nature of the beast. We were trying to stay away from certain guys more than others, but we also recognize you have to give to get.”
The updated Top 30 list shows George Lombard Jr. remaining at No. 1, followed by Carlos Lagrange at No. 2. Spencer Jones holds the No. 4 spot while Brendan Beck ranks 12th.
Carlos Lagrange made the biggest jump from 19th to 2nd after touching 102 mph and earning a Double-A promotion. The 6-foot-7 right-hander also cracked MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects.
The Yankees added four 2025 draft picks to their Top 30, including second-round selection Dax Kilby at No. 8.
These three prospects represent the depth and potential within the Yankees organization. Jones provides immediate power upside, Rodriguez-Cruz offers starting pitching potential, and Beck demonstrates the value of patience with developing talent.
The minor league season continues with all three players positioned to make further impacts. Their combined success highlights the Yankees’ commitment to building through their farm system while competing at the major league level.
New York Yankees top 30 prospects (2025 midseason update)
Based on MLB Pipeline’s latest midseason rankings and prospect updates.
| Rank | Player | Position | Age | Level | Height/Weight | B/T | MLB Top 100 | ETA |
| 1 | George Lombard Jr. | SS/2B | 20 | AA | 6’2″ / 190 lbs | R/R | #25 | 2027 |
| 2 | Carlos Lagrange | RHP | 22 | AA | 6’7″ / 248 lbs | R/R | #82 | 2026 |
| 3 | Cam Schlittler | RHP | 24 | MLB | 6’6″ / 225 lbs | R/R | #91 | 2025 |
| 4 | Spencer Jones | OF | 24 | AAA | 6’7″ / 240 lbs | L/L | #92 | 2025 |
| 5 | Bryce Cunningham | RHP | 22 | A+ | 6’5″ / 230 lbs | R/R | – | 2027 |
| 6 | Jasson Domínguez | OF | 21 | MLB | 5’10” / 190 lbs | S/R | – | 2025 |
| 7 | Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz | RHP | 21 | AA | 6’3″ / 175 lbs | R/R | – | 2026 |
| 8 | Dax Kilby | SS | 18 | Rookie | 6’1″ / 185 lbs | R/R | – | 2028 |
| 9 | Will Warren | RHP | 25 | AAA | 6’2″ / 190 lbs | R/R | – | 2025 |
| 10 | Ben Hess | RHP | 22 | A+ | 6’4″ / 205 lbs | R/R | – | 2027 |
| 11 | Chase Hampton | RHP | 22 | A+ | 6’2″ / 200 lbs | R/R | – | 2027 |
| 12 | Brendan Beck | RHP | 24 | AAA | 6’0″ / 190 lbs | R/R | – | 2025 |
| 13 | Kaeden Kent | SS | 18 | Rookie | 6’0″ / 175 lbs | L/R | – | 2028 |
| 14 | Yoendrys Gómez | RHP | 25 | MLB | 6’3″ / 175 lbs | R/R | – | 2025 |
| 15 | Pico Kohn | LHP | 19 | Rookie | 6’4″ / 210 lbs | L/L | – | 2028 |
| 16 | Brendan Jones | OF | 21 | A+ | 6’0″ / 185 lbs | L/L | – | 2027 |
| 17 | Dillon Lewis | OF | 21 | AA | 6’1″ / 185 lbs | R/R | – | 2026 |
| 18 | Core Jackson | SS | 18 | Rookie | 5’11” / 175 lbs | R/R | – | 2028 |
| 19 | Jesus Rodriguez | C/3B | 22 | AA | 6’0″ / 210 lbs | R/R | – | 2026 |
| 20 | Thatcher Hurd | RHP | 22 | Injured | 6’2″ / 195 lbs | R/R | – | 2027 |
| 21 | Roderick Arias | SS | 20 | A | 6’0″ / 165 lbs | S/R | – | 2027 |
| 22 | Francisco Vilorio | OF | 18 | Rookie | 6’2″ / 185 lbs | L/L | – | 2029 |
| 23 | Cade Smith | RHP | 22 | A+ | 6’1″ / 185 lbs | R/R | – | 2027 |
| 24 | Zach Messinger | RHP | 25 | AA | 6’2″ / 195 lbs | R/R | – | 2025 |
| 25 | Michael Arias | RHP | 23 | AAA | 6’0″ / 180 lbs | R/R | – | 2025 |
| 26 | Engelth Urena | C/1B | 20 | A | 6’1″ / 200 lbs | R/R | – | 2027 |
| 27 | Kyle Carr | LHP | 22 | A+ | 6’3″ / 200 lbs | L/L | – | 2027 |
| 28 | Ben Shields | LHP | 26 | AAA | 6’1″ / 190 lbs | L/L | – | 2025 |
| 29 | Brando Mayea | OF | 18 | A | 6’3″ / 190 lbs | L/L | – | 2028 |
| 30 | Trystan Vrieling | RHP | 24 | AA | 6’2″ / 200 lbs | R/R | – | 2026 |
Recent Draft Additions (2025):
- Dax Kilby (2nd round, #39 overall), Kaeden Kent (#103), Pico Kohn (#134), Core Jackson (#164)
Biggest Movers:
- Up: Carlos Lagrange jumped from #19 to #2 after touching 102 mph and earning Double-A promotion
- Down: Roderick Arias fell from #7 to #21 due to struggles (.199/.316/.304 in 81 games at Single-A)
Source: MLB Pipeline 2025 Midseason Update
What do you think about the Yankees’ prospects?
I think the rankings are a joke, and have more to do with potential than health or what they actually do on the field. GLJ as the #1 prospect is a joke. Thatcher Hurd still in the Top 20? Joke. He hasn’t pitched yet and now has to come back from TJS, so where will his skills be afterwards? Why do virtually every single #1 pick get put right into a team’s Top 10? Or why isn’t Henry Lalane dinged simply because he can’t seem to stay healthy?