New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered an upbeat assessment of rookie outfielder Spencer Jones after Monday night’s 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Jones provided one of the few bright spots for the visitors, launching a solo home run in the fifth inning that trimmed the deficit to 4-1.
Boone spoke with reporters after the game and was asked about Jones’ recent progress.
“It’s been good. Really encouraging. I’ve used the word adaptability. He’s shown some real awareness of strengths and weaknesses, his own and who he’s facing. He’s done a good job for us. And obviously got a couple good swings off today. First at-bat smokes the ball to second for the lineout, and then obviously hits the homer. So he’s done a good job,” Boone said.
The Yankees and Angels were set to play the second game of their series Tuesday night.
Jones is in the middle of his first full season in the majors after the Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft out of Vanderbilt. Boone has watched the young outfielder make adjustments as the season has gone along.
Jones has shown an ability to recognize what pitchers are trying to do and to play to his own strengths. That kind of growth has stood out to the manager even on a night when the rest of the lineup struggled.
Fans and observers have taken notice of Jones’ play as well. Some have suggested he could develop into a 30-home run, 30-steal center fielder next season.
Others have argued he deserves serious consideration for a starting role in the outfield once Aaron Judge returns from injury.
Jones’ homer on Monday drew cheers from a sizable group of Yankees supporters who made the trip to Angel Stadium. The rookie has also contributed in other ways recently, including a run-scoring sacrifice fly in a doubleheader against Boston.
Social media chatter after the Angels game reflected growing excitement about his future. One observer pointed out that Jones already had more home runs this season than some established stars. Another simply declared that Jones looks like the Yankees’ center fielder going forward.
Boone’s comments after the loss underscored that the organization sees real progress in the 2022 first-round pick.
The Yankees will look to bounce back Tuesday and give Jones another chance to build on the encouraging signs he has shown.
