Odds are, Spencer Jones won’t make the New York Yankees‘ Opening Day roster.
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But on Saturday, they revealed a new way that the power-hitting prospect could eventually contribute at the MLB level.
Jones is making his first Spring Training start of the season, and he’s doing it in centerfield.
The 6-foot-7 slugger has mostly been viewed as a future corner outfielder, and that may be the eventual outcome.
But even the possibility of a centerfielder coupled with his prodigious power is a cool potential addition to his future.
MORE: There’s one question Pirates phenom Konnor Griffin needs to answerThe reason Jones in centerfield is extra intriguing is that Trent Grisham is the least proven of the Yanks’ three outfielders. They know what they’ll get from Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger.
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Grisham might be legit, but he could also be a one-hit wonder. If he regresses, maybe Jones will be ready at that point.
Jones hit a combined 35 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A last season, but swing-and-miss is a big concern of his game.
Even more than his 6-foot-7 outfield mate Judge, Jones whiffs at a prodigious rate, too. That will make or break his career.
Being able to play centerfield would only help, though.