New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones hit a home run that cleared George M. Steinbrenner Field during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves. The drive landed along Dale Mabry Highway, contributing to a 7-3 victory for the Yankees. Jones, drawing inspiration from Shohei Ohtani, showcased his power in the seventh inning.
In Tampa, Florida, Spencer Jones demonstrated his raw power with a second home run of the spring training season. The 24-year-old outfielder connected off Atlanta Braves right-hander Austin Pope in the seventh inning, sending the ball out of George M. Steinbrenner Field. The hit, which exited the bat at 107 mph and traveled a projected 401 feet according to Statcast, came to rest somewhere along Dale Mabry Highway, adding an unexpected hazard for local commuters.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the swing, saying, “He put a really good swing on that ball. Obviously, that’s what he’s capable of right there.” Jones, who slugged 35 home runs in the minors last season, has been adjusting his approach. He recently mentioned studying Shohei Ohtani's swing mechanics, noting, “He’s a great reference of a really good mover with a great swing. He’s one of those guys that I look at with some of the stuff he does, and I try to apply it in whichever way I can.”
Through six plate appearances this spring, Jones is batting 2-for-6 with four strikeouts and a walk. Boone highlighted his progress: “I feel like he’s put together some good at-bats. He’s getting a lot of playing time, which is good. He’s a big man that’s made a lot of adjustments, that’s tried to get himself into good positions. Hopefully he can keep building on that.”
The performance underscores Jones' potential as the Yankees continue their Grapefruit League schedule, facing challenges from Florida's busy highways and competitive opponents alike.