Yankees’ minor league slugging showdown boils down to two-rookie race
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Follow UsNEW YORK — In the Yankees’ minor league system, slugging supremacy is emerging as a showdown between two rising stars: Spencer Jones and Roc Jack Riggio. Both are tearing up the Eastern League, providing the Bombers with stylistic contrast—and potential future impact.
Jones emerges Yankees Double-A powerhouse
Spencer Jones, the 6‑foot‑7 former first-round pick, continues to fulfill his power-hitting promise in Double-A Somerset. Through late June, Jones has slashed .274/.389/.983 with 16 homers, 32 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 175 plate appearances—tops among Yankees minor leaguers. His bat speed remains elite, consistently producing exit velocities over 105 mph.
Last week, Jones launched his 13th homer of the season during a doubleheader sweep at New Hampshire—part of a torrid run that saw him lead the Eastern League in round-trippers. On June 26, he crushed his 16th homer and, a day later, delivered a walk-off RBI single to beat Erie in extras.
Jones recorded a 90th percentile exit velocity of 107.7 mph and maintained a 57% hard-hit rate in 2024. His 60-grade power and speed combination, paired with solid center field defense, creates a potential impact player if he can maintain contact rates above his current 20.8% strikeout percentage in recent games.
Riggio giving tough competition at Somerset
Roc Riggio, now fully promoted to Double-A Somerset, brings a contrasting style. The 2023 fourth-round pick from Oklahoma State combines contact hitting with unexpected pop. He hit .264 with a .597 slugging percentage and six bombs in just 20 High-A games—enough to warrant a Somerset promotion. After 18 Double-A contests, Riggio is on pace with seven homers and a .333 batting average and a staggering .833 slugging percentage. With Somerset, the Yankees rookie now boasts 7 home runs, 13 runs, and 16 RBIs. He has one homer for the FCL Yankees in 2025.
Riggio’s breakout represents a complete offensive evolution. His feat—matching half his 2024 total in 19% of the plate appearances— maintained elite production with a 209 wRC+ that ranks second among all minor leaguers with 100+ plate appearances.
Yankees’ scouting notes: Styles contrast but impact counts
Despite differing arcs, both prospects project MLB upside.
- Jones combines massive size with hitting prowess. Drafted from Vanderbilt in 2022, he has elite raw power and surprising bat control for his frame. MiLB records show a .983 OPS this season.
- Riggio, at 23, relies on refined plate discipline and contact ability. His walk rate leapt over 20% in 2025, with strikeout rates stable. MLB.com scouts describe his infield defense as solid, and the power is now catching up.
One scouting report summed it up: “Riggio’s rookie mirage is over. He’s showing this is for real. And Jones? A human highlight reel when he gets going.”
Why this duopoly matters for the Yankees
Depth and trade value. With power-hitting whiffs scarce in the farm, two potential hitters of this quality gives GM Brian Cashman options. One insider suggested Riggio might be in play at the deadline. If the Yankees chase immediate bullpen help or a veteran maven, Riggio’s recent surge makes him attractive trade bait.
Jones offers positional flexibility and a potential bat in left field—a role with less internal competition at the MLB level. Both are on track to factor into future outfield decisions, especially if Jasson Domínguez doesn’t fill that center role.
The prospects occupy dramatically different positions within the Yankees’ rebuilding farm system, ranked 24th by ESPN. Jones maintains his #2-3 organizational ranking across most outlets (MLB Pipeline, Baseball America), though his industry standing has cratered following 2024’s struggles. Riggio sits much lower at #23-24 systemwide but is rapidly ascending based on his 2025 performance.
Baseball America’s projected 2028 Yankees lineup features Jones in center field but omits Riggio entirely, suggesting the organization still views Jones as the higher-ceiling player despite current performance gaps. However, this dynamic could shift significantly if current trends continue through 2025’s second half.
Both prospects represent different aspects of the Yankees’ developmental philosophy—Jones embodies the high-ceiling, high-risk prospects they’ve historically struggled to develop, while Riggio exemplifies the steady, productive college players who’ve found more consistent success in their system.
Who takes the title? It’s Yankees’ two‑rookie race
Both have legitimate claims:
| Prospect | Level | AB | AVG | HR | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Jones | Double-A | 175 | .274 | 16 | .983 |
| Roc Riggio | Double-A | 152 | .263 | 14 | .972 |
Jones holds the raw edge in power and slugging%. Riggio owns the higher batting average and overall polish. But pitch count matters: Jones has 175 PA, while Riggio’s sample spans fewer outings at AA.
Jones edges Riggio in raw power and plate coverage. His .983 OPS tops both in the organization and the league. Riggio counters with better batting average and refined discipline; his .367 OBP shows a keen eye .
A minor-league hitting coach observes: “Jones is your out-of-nowhere homer guy. Riggio? He’s the hit-it-all-fields guy. Both can win games.”
Trade speculation intensifies around both prospects
Multiple sources indicate both players are generating significant trade interest as the July deadline approaches, though for contrasting reasons. Yankees beat reporter Chris Kirschner theorizes the organization may be deliberately keeping Jones at Double-A Somerset to “show other teams how well he’s performing and then sell high at the deadline” rather than promoting him to Triple-A where struggles might diminish his value.
Riggio faces different trade pressures as GM Brian Cashman has “never been afraid to trade away the hot hand in the farm system to cash in on major league talent.” Recent examples include dealing breakout prospects Agustín Ramírez for Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Caleb Durbin for Devin Williams, establishing a pattern of converting prospect surges into veteran talent.
What lies ahead
Jones should continue at Somerset, aiming for a Triple-A test later this summer. A consistent month more could have him in Scranton by mid‑August.
Riggio, on high-performer track, may stick in Somerset for the rest of 2025. A strong finish could make him part of MLB spring discussions next February.
Yankees MiLB fans should relish the Jones–Riggio showdown as the slugging leaderboard nears figure-out time. Both have different appeals—Jones offers generational power, Riggio offers discipline and precision. The system’s strength isn’t in volume of elite bats. It’s in this very two‑man slugging race.
Why it matters: one may stay and contribute in pinstripes; the other could be trade currency in a pre-playoff splash.
Either way, it’s a win for the Yankees depth. And an eye-opening race in MiLB that reminds fans why the Yankees invest so heavily in development.
What do you think?
- Categories: News, Prospects
- Tags: New York Yankees, roc riggio, spencer jones, Yankees farm system, Yankees prospects
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