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MLB, Baseball Herren, USA 2024: ALDS Yankees vs Royals OCT 10 October 10, 2024: New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge 99 before game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. David Smith/CSM/Sipa USA Credit Image: David Smith/Cal Media/Sipa USA Kansas City Kauffman Stadium Mo United States of America NOxUSExINxGERMANY PUBLICATIONxINxALGxARGxAUTxBRNxBRAxCANxCHIxCHNxCOLxECUxEGYxGRExINDxIRIxIRQxISRxJORxKUWxLIBxLBAxMLTxMEXxMARxOMAxPERxQATxKSAxSUIxSYRxTUNxTURxUAExUKxVENxYEMxONLY Copyright: xCalxSportxMediax Editorial use only

via Imago
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA 2024: ALDS Yankees vs Royals OCT 10 October 10, 2024: New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge 99 before game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. David Smith/CSM/Sipa USA Credit Image: David Smith/Cal Media/Sipa USA Kansas City Kauffman Stadium Mo United States of America NOxUSExINxGERMANY PUBLICATIONxINxALGxARGxAUTxBRNxBRAxCANxCHIxCHNxCOLxECUxEGYxGRExINDxIRIxIRQxISRxJORxKUWxLIBxLBAxMLTxMEXxMARxOMAxPERxQATxKSAxSUIxSYRxTUNxTURxUAExUKxVENxYEMxONLY Copyright: xCalxSportxMediax Editorial use only
The New York Yankees drafted Spencer Jones in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, immediately sparking comparisons to Aaron Judge. At 6’6” and 235 pounds, Jones shares an imposing physical presence with the Yankees’ captain, but questions remain about whether he can refine his game enough to reach anything close to Judge’s production. While his raw power and athleticism are undeniable, persistent swing-and-miss issues have drawn scrutiny from MLB insiders.
At Double-A in 2024, Jones posted a concerning 36.8% strikeout rate, a steep rise compared to previous seasons. His plate discipline has shown promise. But with decent walk rates, his contact ability has been erratic. Inconsistent mechanics, particularly in his swing, contribute to this issue. However, his raw power remains undeniable, and despite the high strikeout rate, Jones finished the season 24% above the league average in wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) in a highly competitive Eastern League.
The Aaron Judge comparisons: Fair or misleading?
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The Pinstripe Territory posted a video on Monday where Geoff Pontes of Baseball America talked about the comparison between Aaron Judge and Spencer Jones. “I think we’ve seen a better version of Spencer Jones in previous seasons.” He added, “In terms of the athlete and the overall skill set, there’s not a lot of guys that are as big and as strong and as athletic as Jones. He’s sort of an athletic freak, an outlier in that sense. The thing is, though, Judge’s hit tool was always significantly better than what Jones was.”

As per Geoff Pontes, comparisons to Judge, while flattering, are premature. Aaron Judge’s hit tool allowed him to thrive even as a prospect. Jones, meanwhile, is still figuring out how to adjust to professional pitching, especially given his high strikeout numbers. But there is hope: small improvements in pitch recognition and making better contact could drastically elevate his game. If he can rein in his strikeouts to around 27-28% and continue to showcase his power, Jones could be a key piece of the Yankees’ future, potentially joining the major league roster as early as 2025.
Recent side-by-side video analyses on social media have highlighted striking similarities between Judge’s and Jones’ swings—albeit in mirror image, given Jones’ left-handed bat. However, the biggest difference lies in approach and adjustability. Even early on, Aaron Judge demonstrated a more refined plate approach, whereas Jones is still exposed to advanced sequencing.
Breaking down the swing: What needs to change?
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Spencer Jones’s long levers create significant power, but they also make his swing naturally longer, leaving him vulnerable to high fastballs and breaking balls away. While his stance and load resemble Judge’s, Jones doesn’t generate the same level of adjustability, often committing too early to pitches out of the zone. His struggles against advanced sequencing in Double-A indicate that he needs to refine his approach, particularly in recognizing off-speed pitches and laying off borderline-breaking balls.
One of the biggest adjustments Jones must make is shortening his swing path to improve his ability to make consistent contact. His raw power allows him to do damage even with minor tweaks, so focusing on barrel control rather than maximizing exit velocity on every swing could lead to a more balanced approach. Additionally, improving his lower-body stability could help him stay back on off-speed pitches rather than lunging forward.
Currently, the priority remains his improvement as the Yankees aim to observe whether Jones can refine his swings, and imperfections, and progress towards being a player in the leagues. The upcoming years will determine whether the parallels drawn between him and Judge are grounded in reality or mere speculation.
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Is comparing Spencer Jones to Aaron Judge setting him up for failure or motivating his growth?
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Is comparing Spencer Jones to Aaron Judge setting him up for failure or motivating his growth?
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