The Double-A Somerset Patriots have wrapped up their regular season and will be representing the New York Yankees in the Eastern League playoffs, led by their top outfield prospect, Spencer Jones. Jones had a strong season, managing to bounce back from a challenging start to hit his stride during the summer months.
However, his season was not without its issues. Jones struggled significantly with strikeouts, seeing his rate jump from 28.2 percent in a limited stint last year to 36.8 percent this season, largely due to a new swing path and approach. This high swing-and-miss rate poses a challenge for his future aspirations in Major League Baseball.
Despite these struggles at the plate, Jones’s season included numerous positive highlights, as noted by the Patriots on social media. His final stats showcased his contributions: “Spencer Jones finished the regular season w/ 17 HR, 78 RBI, 125 H, 30 2B, 6 3B, 52 XBH, 218 TB & 73 R. EL ranks: RBI (2nd), H (3rd), 2B (T-1st), 3B (2nd), XBH (T-1st), TB (2nd) & R (3rd). Yankees’ @MiLB leaders: RBI (1st), H (2nd), 2B (T-2nd), XBH (1st), TB (1st) & R (T-3rd),” the Patriots shared.
Overall, Jones ranked among the top three in the Eastern League for several key offensive categories, including runs batted in, hits, doubles, triples, extra-base hits, and total bases. His performance stood out among other Yankees prospects in the minor leagues.
By the end of the Double-A season, Jones boasted a solid batting line of .259/.336/.452 and a 124 wRC+, reflecting significant improvement over his previous seasons. This performance was notably better than his 104 mark in 17 games last year and the 100 he recorded over 100 games in High-A in 2023. Such statistics indicate his development as both a player and a hitter over the past year.
Looking ahead, the Yankees are expected to test Jones in Triple-A next season, although he will need to address his strikeout rate to improve his chances of making it to the majors. Despite the challenges, there is considerable excitement about his potential and future contributions to the team.
