In a Saturday interview with MLB Network, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised outfielders Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones. Domínguez, who has big-league experience but has been hampered by injuries, is looking to take the next step in 2026. Jones, a 6′ 7″, 24-year-old outfielder often referred to in Yankees Universe as the “Lefty Aaron Judge,” has been the talk of the Yankees’ farm system for some time now.

When asked about each player’s chances of making the Opening Day roster, Boone said, “We all think very highly of both those guys,” and added, “a lot can happen between now and March 25th.” While Domínguez is more likely to make the team out of spring training, could we possibly see Spencer Jones debut with the Yankees early this season? He’s certainly making his case with a strong spring thus far.

Mar 4, 2024; Jupiter, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a single against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Spencer Jones Could Make His Yankees Debut Early Thanks to Strong Early Spring

While MLB.com’s latest prospect rankings are not out just yet, Jones ranked as the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect following the 2025 trade deadline. He was only behind infielder George Lombard Jr. (No. 1), right-hander Carlos Lagrange (No. 2), and right-hander Cam Schlittler (No. 3), who eventually debuted in MLB last season to great effect.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone on Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones with the team’s crowded outfield:

“We all think very highly of both of those guys… a lot can happen between now and March 25th.”

MLB Network + @SageUSAmerica pic.twitter.com/uJ5aL0laFF

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 28, 2026

The hulking outfielder is red hot at the plate early this spring, slugging three home runs. The latest was a 427-foot blast off the center field batter’s eye against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. He is hitting .375 (3-for-8, all homers) with five RBI and five runs scored through four spring games.

“That is Spencer Jones. All 6-7 of him.”

The @Yankees prospect drills his third spring homer off the batter’s eye to tie for the MLB lead:
427 ft
107.5 mph pic.twitter.com/wSQsvNIxSc

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 27, 2026

 

Although it’s a small sample size, Jones is showing that he’s getting closer to being major league-ready. If he keeps it up, the Yankees may have no choice but to give him a trial run on the early side this season, perhaps even rewarding him with a spot on the final roster. There’s just one problem: the Yankees outfield already has a traffic jam. After New York re-signed Cody Bellinger this offseason and retained Trent Grisham via a qualifying offer, the projected outfield consists of the former in center field, the latter in left field, and Judge in right field. That’s not to mention Domínguez, who is already starving for more playing time after injuries and prior outfield crowding kept him largely sidelined to this point.

How Soon Will We See Jones?

Although Boone kept his cards somewhat close to the chest on Saturday, it stands to reason that there simply won’t be room to carry Jones on the Yankees roster for Opening Day. If Domínguez, who made his MLB debut in 2022, is not a sure thing, then it’s hard to see Jones having much of a shot, given the Yankees’ current outfield alignment.

The odds are that Jones will open the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, no matter how much he continues to hit this spring. However, his performance could earn him a call-up sooner rather than later, especially given the Yankees’ recent history of injuries. If someone gets hurt or hits an early-season slump, Jones could be on the bus to New York earlier than expected. If not, it would be a shock not to see him on the roster by September, at the very least. Either way, it will be exciting to see what Spencer Jones can do in a Yankees uniform once he plays in the games that really matter.

 

Main Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images