Baseball’s top prospects aren’t just names on a list… they’re ticking clocks. The “On the Verge” series shines a spotlight on players in the RotoPrpspects fantasy baseball Top 700 Prospect Rankings who are on the cusp of breaking through to the majors. Whether they’re red-hot at Triple-A, pushing past long-term development hurdles, or generating trade buzz as the deadline nears, these are the names you need to know before everyone else does.
Some will debut very soon.
Some will headline a blockbuster trade.
All of them are right on the edge of changing everything—for their team, and for themselves.
There are hot streaks—and then there’s what Spencer Jones is doing right now. The towering 6-foot-7 outfielder, often dubbed “Aaron Judge Lite,” is making a thunderous case for a call-up to the Bronx. And whether his path leads to Yankee Stadium or a blockbuster trade, one thing is clear: Jones has put himself firmly on the verge of the next big leap.
Jones’ red-hot July has turned heads
Since being promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in late June, Jones has gone on an absolute tear. Over a 19-game stretch through July 24, he’s launched 13 home runs, driven in 19 runs, walked nine times, and stolen five bases—all while posting a jaw-dropping .400/.467/.871 slash line.
His most eye-popping performance came just this week: a three-homer game in just five innings that included a 425-foot opposite-field blast and a 433-footer to right. Exit velocities for the day? 108 and 105.8 mph. And he did all this while making a sliding grab in center field for good measure.
This wasn’t just a hot night. This is a legitimate power surge, and one that’s been sustained over several weeks. For the season, across Double-A and Triple-A, Jones is now slashing .314/.411/.706 with 28 home runs, 57 RBIs, 42 walks, and 16 stolen bases.
He’s arguably the hottest hitter in the minors right now and has soared into the Top Ten of the latest update to the Top 700 Prospect Rankings.
A prospect four years in the making
Spencer Jones didn’t come out of nowhere. He was the Yankees’ first-round pick in 2022 out of Vanderbilt, selected 25th overall as a toolsy outfielder with a massive frame and loud tools to match.
In his first pro season, he made an immediate impact, hitting .344 with 4 home runs and 12 stolen bases in just 25 games. The next year, he climbed from High-A to Double-A and continued to flash potential, hitting .267 with 12 homers and 43 stolen bases in 117 games. Scouts loved the mix of size, speed, and raw power—but the strikeouts were a concern, piling up at a high rate.
In 2024, he settled in as one of the Yankees’ top prospects, posting a .259 average with 17 home runs and 25 steals. The swing-and-miss issues lingered, but the development was clear: his pitch recognition had improved, and he was beginning to tap into his 70-grade raw power more consistently.
Now in 2025, Jones has taken that next step. He opened the year back at Double-A Somerset and hit .274/.389/.594 with 16 home runs in just 49 games before earning his Triple-A call-up. Since then, he’s looked like a man possessed.
The Aaron Judge comparisons look better than ever
The comparisons to Aaron Judge aren’t just about size—though at 6’7″, Jones certainly matches Judge in that department. It’s the way Jones uses that frame that has evaluators buzzing. He’s shown similar opposite-field power, the ability to make adjustments within at-bats, and—surprisingly for his build—above-average speed and defense. He’s played over 400 innings in center field this season without committing an error.
His tools, while still a step behind Judge’s at the same stage, are no joke. Scouts have graded his power at 60–70, his hit tool at 50, and his run and field tools in the 50–55 range. Even his arm—while not elite—has been good enough to handle all three outfield spots.
The biggest difference right now? Spencer Jones is still refining his swing decisions and contact skills. But if this July is any indication, that refinement is happening in real time.
On the verge of a call-up … or trade bait?
With all this momentum, you’d think a call-up to the Bronx would be inevitable. But the Yankees’ current outfield situation complicates things. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez, and Trent Grisham are all healthy and contributing at the big-league level. There’s not a clear opening for everyday at-bats—at least not yet.
That puts Jones in a fascinating spot as the trade deadline approaches.
If the Yankees view him as a core piece of their future, they might hold onto him through the deadline and look to work him in down the stretch. But if they see a window to make a major upgrade—say, at third base or in the rotation—Jones could be the kind of elite prospect that gets a deal done.
They may have just answered that question with the acquisition of third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Rockies on July 25. The Yankees appear have made a definitive statement: they’re prioritizing positional stability and veteran defense over continuing the chase for Eugenio Suárez. McMahon, who boasts plus-glove talent and consistent durability, joins New York under contract through 2027, even while the team absorbs the remainder of his salary. The return package—two pitching prospects, LHP Griffin Herring and RHP Josh Grosz —alongside the financial commitment, reflects a strategy designed for reliability rather than splurging on the high bidding war that Suárez has stirred.
The Verdict
There’s no denying it: Spencer Jones is ready for something bigger. Whether that means a Yankees debut in August or being the headliner in a blockbuster trade, the next chapter is coming fast.
He’s checked every box this month—power, patience, defense, consistency—and has become one of the most talked-about prospects in the game. If the Yankees don’t call him up soon, another team might be more than happy to let him show what he can do at the highest level.
And wherever he goes, one thing is certain: he’s On The Verge of greatness and won’t be in Triple-A much longer.
About the “On the Verge” series
These prospects are pounding on the door to The Show. Some might be just one swing, one hot week, or one roster shake-up away from a call-up. Others could be key pieces in deadline deals that change the balance of a pennant race. This On The Verge series captures those players in that exact moment, when potential meets opportunity, and the trajectory of a career—and maybe a franchise—hangs in the balance.