Spencer Jones is on the verge of experiencing his inaugural stint in the major league camp.
Jones, along with right-handers Chase Hampton and Will Warren, and catcher Ben Rice, constitutes a group of promising prospects from the Yankees who have been granted a non-roster invitation to partake in the upcoming major league spring training in Tampa.
A total of 26 players, not currently on the 40-man roster, have been extended invitations by the Yankees.
The spotlight shines particularly bright on 22-year-old Jones, a towering left-handed hitting outfielder often likened to Aaron Judge. Drafted in the first round by the Yankees in 2022, the 6-foot-6 slugger emerged as a significant figure, securing the label of the Yankees’ second-ranked prospect by Baseball America (trailing Jasson Dominguez). Completing the previous season at Double-A, Jones now has the opportunity to join the ranks of Judge and other established major leaguers during this spring’s training.
Monitoring the performances of Warren and Hampton is particularly noteworthy, given that they currently stand as the organization’s foremost pitching prospects in the upper echelons of the minor leagues.
Given the Yankees’ rotation entering camp with notable health uncertainties, Warren and, subsequently, Hampton emerge as potential early call-ups in case of injuries.
Warren, a 24-year-old considered the club’s ninth-best prospect according to Baseball America, showcased an impressive performance in 2023. His notable achievements include a 2.45 ERA in six starts at Double-A Somerset, followed by a 3.61 ERA with 110 strikeouts across 21 appearances (totaling 99 ⅔ innings) at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
As for Hampton, a 22-year-old positioned as the Yankees’ sixth-best prospect by Baseball America and holding the 72nd spot in the sport overall, he left a strong impression in his inaugural professional year in 2023. Splitting his time between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset, Hampton compiled a combined 3.63 ERA with an impressive 145 strikeouts over 106 ⅔ innings.
Meanwhile, Rice had a breakout season in 2023, making an impact across three levels. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter concluded the year at Double-A, boasting impressive statistics with a .327 batting average, 16 home runs, and a remarkable 1.049 OPS in 48 games. Recently acknowledged as the Yankees’ No. 12 prospect by Baseball America, Rice has certainly garnered attention for his stellar performance.
Additionally, several other minor leaguers from the Yankees organization secured invitations to the major league spring training. This list includes catcher Josh Breaux, infielders Jeter Downs and Caleb Durbin, outfielders Oscar González and Brandon Lockridge, as well as infielder T.J. Rumfield.
Furthermore, outfielder Greg Allen, left-handed pitcher Anthony Misiewicz, and left-handed pitcher Tanner Tully have renewed their association with the Yankees, signing minor league deals that come with invites to the big league camp.
Pitcher Yerry de los Santos, known for his sinker-ball style and a former member of the Pirates, along with hard-throwing reliever Nick Burdi, are among the intriguing non-roster invitees who have inked minor league contracts with the Yankees for the 2024 season.
Joining them are catcher J.C. Escarra, outfielder Luis González, left-handed pitcher Oddanier Mosqueda, utility player Jose Rojas, right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana, infielder Kevin Smith, catcher Luis Torrens, right-handed pitcher Duane Underwood Jr., and infielder Josh VanMeter.
Adding to the mix, right-handed pitchers Joey Gerber and Art Warren will be part of the big league camp, having signed multi-year minor league deals with the Yankees in 2022 while undergoing rehabilitation for elbow surgeries.
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