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 Grapefruit League game against 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 currently representing Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He was set to start on Monday evening against Cuba.
Jones mentioned this spring that he is copying aspects of Shohei Ohtani’s swing as he looks to improve his consistency. He had six hits in 18 Grapefruit League at-bats (.333), including one double, three homers and seven RBIs, with three stolen bases.