TAMPA, Fla. – Spencer Jones arrived at Yankees camp with a clear understanding of the landscape. Any discussion of a pending competition for a starting outfield spot was quieted when the organization made offseason moves to re-sign Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger.
Instead, Jones knew that his most likely scenario would involve a return to the Minors – something that occurred on Monday, when the Yankees optioned their No. 6 prospect to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and reassigned him to Minor League camp before their 5-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Though general manager Brian Cashman acknowledges other organizations might have already given Jones a look in the Majors, the 24-year-old said he can wait for a chance to wear pinstripes.
“In my mind, this is the best organization to play for,” Jones said earlier in camp. “If opportunities come later, I think it’s for a good reason, and that’s because we’re trying to help the team win a World Series.”
The Yankees also optioned right-hander Elmer Rodríguez to Triple-A on Monday, re-assigning him to Minor League camp.
Rated as the club’s No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Rodríguez pitched six innings in Grapefruit League play, allowing two runs and five hits (3.00 ERA) while walking one and striking out five.
COMPLETE YANKEES PROSPECT COVERAGE
Rodríguez is representing Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He pitched three scoreless innings and earned the victory in Monday night's 4-1 win over Cuba.
“He’s got a real chance to impact our club this year,” Boone said. “And that’s credit to him and the year he had last year, and what he’s done over the winter and this spring. He’s somebody that’s very close to impacting our club.”
Jones mentioned this spring that he is copying aspects of Shohei Ohtani’s swing as he looks to improve his consistency. He has six hits in 18 Grapefruit League at-bats (.333), including one double, three homers and seven RBIs, with three stolen bases.
Those numbers will change. Jones will continue playing in spring contests, including Tuesday, when he’s on the Yankees’ travel roster to see the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.
Boone said his message to Jones was: “Don’t focus on things that might be out of your control.”
“The reality is, he’s coming off a really strong season,” Boone said. “I feel like he continues to make really solid adjustments. He came in here and has represented really well. You see the signs of him continuing to get better.”