Spencer Jones, a strapping 6 ft 6 left hitter has been smashing the ball at the Yankees Spring Camp and the 2022 first round pick is thrilled to have an opportunity to play with the likes of superstar Juan Soto in 2024.
Jones signed on at the Yankees as the 24th overall pick in 2022 and has been developing in the Minors, but after some sensational hitting power the Somerset Patriots player could be stepping up to the big boys.
This will mean rubbing shoulders with the likes of newly signed Soto, who comes in from the Padres on a one-year deal worth $31 million.
Jones told Overtime Heroics senior editor Reggie Roberts that working with Soto has been inspiring.
“He’s (Soto) great. He’s one of the best players in the game right now … it’s obvious how hard he works and how hard he works to get to know everybody in camp,” said an awe-struck Jones.
Soto enjoyed a fruitful stint with the Padres in 2023 playing in all 162 games, with 35 home runs, 109 RBI’s and a league leading 132 walks – for a .275 average.
“It’s been cool. I am fortunate enough to sit kind of close to him in the clubhouse and he’s friendly and talking to guys. When it comes to work, he is as committed to his routine as anybody in baseball,” added Jones.
Soto won the World Series with the Washington National in 2019 and will be aiming to bring the winning feeling to the Yankee stadium, electrifying fans and young players alike.
The 3-time All-Star and 4-time Silver Slugger winner is looking to make an immediate impact in New York and add to his career tally of 160 home runs and 483 runs batted in.
Earlier this season Jones launched a 470 ft home run in the Grapefruit League drawing comparisons with Soto, who launched a 463-footer against the Mets at Citi Field in 2020.
Soto then added a 466-footer, and that year led all qualified hitters in the MLB on-base % (.490), slugging % (.695) and on-base plus slugging (1.185), winning his first Silver Slugger Award.
Jones and the rest of the younger Yankees generation will want to feed off the trough of experience and enthusiasm of Soto as the Yankees look to win their first World Series since 2009.
