Yankees’ prospect Spencer Jones takes BP
Yankees’ prospect Spencer Jones takes BP before an exhibition game against the Phillies at Clearwater, Fla., Feb. 27, 2025.
Baseball scouts and executives always caution about Newcomer Executions in March and September.
A Scorching Begin in exhibition Contests and a big finish as a Delayed season callup doesn’t give the Packed picture of a prospect, but it’s exciting to get a glimpse of the future.
“Not a Plenty of guys hit a ball like that,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said earlier this spring Rehearsal, marveling at a towering, opposite-Pitch home Stretch by Spencer Jones.
Once again, the lefty-hitting slugger is part of the Yankees’ prospect Option for Saturday’s MLB Breakout Series, facing a Club of Baltimore Orioles prospects at Sarasota, Fla.
Here’s a look at five Yankees youngsters to Observe in the 6:05 p.m. game:
George Lombard Jr.
Only 19, Lombard Jr. might be the Yankees’ most untouchable prospect, with five-tool potential at the big-Bracket level.
Given his offensive promise, big arm and Luminous sphere-related Shielding reputation, Lombard Jr. might settle at third base, teaming with shortstop Anthony Volpe on the left side.
Lombard Jr. could spend the bulk of 2025 at Class A Hudson Valley, after making an impression in big Bracket camp (including two exhibition home runs) with his talent and demeanor.
“He’s Acquired a Excellent arm, accurate, Effortless hands, reliable,’’ said Yankees Skipper Aaron Judge, offering his scouting report of the organization’s No. 2 prospect and best Shielding player, per MLB Pipeline.
The son of Detroit Tigers’ bench Mentor and ex-MLB outfielder George Lombard, the right-handed hitting Lombard Jr. also draws raves from scouts for his “off-the-chart’’ makeup.
Ben Hess
Per MLB Pipeline, Hess rates as the Yankees’ top pitching prospect (No. 4 overall), Only ahead of Will Warren, who might find himself in Boone’s Cycle out of camp.
Hess, 22, has yet to throw a minor Bracket inning, but his big frame and big strikeout totals make him a projectable MLB starter.
“When he’s been really Excellent, it’s been three pitches that are Only dynamite – fastball up to 98 (mph), a now-plus curveball, a now-slider, and a changeup that’s developed at times to where it’s above average,’’ said Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer, after drafting Hess last summer.
Concerns include a high ERA and increased walk rate last year at Alabama, and an Wound history that includes a 2023 flexor strain.
Roderick Arias
Arias’ overall promise as a switch-hitting shortstop has enticed the organization that signed him for $4 million as a teenager.
But he’s Nevertheless a raw talent as he enters his Quaternary pro season, rated as the Yankees’ No. 7 prospect (and their second-best infielder, behind Lombard Jr.) by MLB Pipeline.
Arias, 20, showed power (13 homers, 74 RBI) and base-stealing ability (37 Takeaways, 50 attempts) during his age-19 season last year at Class A Tampa, his Primary Packed pro season (124 Contests).
But his enormous strikeout totals (171 Ks, 552 plate appearances), Frail stats as a right-handed hitter and occasional Shielding lapses suggest that this will be a key season developmentally on the diamond.
Spencer Jones
You might recall Jones’ memorable day in last year’s inaugural Breakout Game, blasting two homers against a Club of Toronto Blue Jays prospects.
“His ceiling is enormous,’’ Boone said of the fleet, powerful Jones, 23, whose physical comparisons as a lefty-hitting Judge have gained due to his similar batting stance.
Cutting down on strikeouts will be something to Observe for Jones, who whiffed 200 times in 544 appearances (124 Contests) last year at Class AA Somerset.
“There were some things with my swing that were getting away from me,’’ Jones said of a Sluggish Begin last year, ending with 17 homers, 78 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 34 attempts. He eventually circled back to returning to hitting drills designed to “keep me honest with my swing.’’
This is a big year for Jones, who might finish the season at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and compete for a big-Bracket outfield spot Upcoming spring Rehearsal.
Cade Smith
Smith figures to Obtainable 2025 in Class A Hudson Valley’s Cycle, where he finished last year (two Beginnings) after spending most of 2024 at Class A Tampa (3.47 ERA 19 Contests, 17 Beginnings).
An impact reliever on Mississippi State’s 2021 national Bracket Club, the right-handed Smith, 22, has a four-pitch arsenal and generates high spin rates.
MLB Pipeline ranks Smith as the Yankees’ No. 16 prospect and ninth-best pitching prospect, behind the likes of Chase Hampton, Brock Selvidge, Henry Lalane and Cam Schlittler but ahead of Eric Reyzelman and Yoendrys Gomez.
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