Spencer
Jones

2022 MLB Draft: Jones was locked in at the plate during the second half of the season, raising his totals to a .370/.460/.643 slash to go along with 12 home runs and 60 RBI. With a slightly open stance and high hands during his setup, he's consistently on-time producing hard contact to all fields. Jones has size, strength and leverage in his left handed swing. He also showed the ability to shorten it with two strikes and go the other way with hard contact. His season strikeout rate is concerning (23.5%), but it improved as the 2022 season progressed. There is some concern about his height (6-foot-7) and the plate coverage that is just too immense with several extra inches of exposure from the knees to the letters in the strike zone. The list of 6-foot-6 or taller hitters who have had sustained success in the Major Leagues is very short – for every Aaron Judge there are dozens of Ryan Minor's. Long arms are great if you're a basketball player or a soccer goalie, but they tend to inhibit hitting for a high batting average. Defensively, he has the arm strength and speed to play a solid outfield corner and profiles best to right field. He has also played first base in the past. His speed also plays on the bases. He swiped 14 bases in 15 attempts this spring. After starting the season as a fifth-to-seventh round prospect, Jones has likely hit his way into the top three rounds.

Finally healthy this spring after battling injury and illness for the past two seasons, Jones was locked in at the plate against LSU. With a slightly open stance and high hands during his setup, he was consistently on-time producing hard contact to all fields. His series highlight was the demolition of an elevated fastball, hitting the pitch over the batter's eye in the 6th inning of Saturday's game. This blast gave him nine on the year and his two home runs in the game totaled 883 feet of distance. Coming into the series I was concerned about his height (6-foot-7) and the typical accompaniment of a long swing, as well as plate coverage that is just too immense with several extra inches of exposure from the knees to the letters in the strike zone. The list of 6-foot-6 or taller hitters who have had sustained success in the Major Leagues is very short – for every Aaron Judge there are dozens of Ryan Minor's. Long arms are great if you're a basketball player or a soccer goalie, but they tend to inhibit hitting for a high batting average. Jones has size, strength and leverage in his left handed swing and he also showed the ability to shorten it with two strikes and go the other way with hard contact. His season strikeout rate is concerning (24%), but he did not show much swing/miss on this look. He controlled the zone with one walk against no strikeouts. Defensively, he has the arm strength and speed to play a solid outfield corner and profiles best to right field. He has also played first base in the past. His speed also plays on the bases. He's swiped 12 in 13 attempts this spring. There wasn't an abundance of scouting heat in attendance to watch his big weekend (7-for-12 , two home runs, five RBI), but expect Jones to get extra looks by scouting directors at this week's SEC tournament. After starting the season as a fifth-to-seventh round prospect, Jones has likely hit his way into the top three rounds.

2019 La Costa Canyon (Vanderbilt) DH, 6-foot-7 210 pounds, L/L. Back as a hitter only after suffering a fractured elbow 8 weeks ago. Finished the game with three hits and a walk. Post-injury swing path showed a more inside out approach which was very evident as two of his hits went to left-center. Talent is there and the layoff did not hurt his feel for the game.

Despite going hitless on the day in four at-bats, Jones hurt two baseballs on two deep flyouts to the right-center gap. Both barrel contact points made that boom sound unique only to plus power hitters, displaying his raw and projectable power. Displayed his above-average speed while picking up his third stolen base in five games to start the season. The power potential is starting to show and it looks like only a matter of time before he starts tallying the home run stat box.

Jones turned in an okay highly anticipated first start of the season. Recording a stat line of 3 innings 1H 1R 4BB 5K and throwing thirty balls and thirty strikes on a pitch count of sixty pitches. The fastball range was 85-90 mph and sat at 87-89 mph, displaying inconsistent command and feel for the pitch which forced him to go deep into every count. Relied heavily on a plus breaking ball to garner swings and misses and at times showed better command then the fastball. Breaking ball ranged from 72-77 mph and broke on a slurve plan with tight spin and plus action. Flashed a split-change in the 82-84 mph range that possessed good downward bite. Both the breaking ball and the split-change were released from the same arm slot and displayed what looked to be the same arm speed. Showed stellar scapular load, arm pronation and whippy arm action. Eliminating the over the head arm load out of the wind-up could create more consistent mechanics. With such a big and lanky frame there is no doubt that there is untapped power in his hips and legs. Displayed impressive confidence and body language on the mound.

6-foot-7, 200 pounds, long and lanky, athletic, toolsy, broad shoulders, extremely projectable with plenty of room for growth. Made his first game appearance of the 2019 season for the La Costa Canyon Mavericks hitting leadoff against Huntington Beach. Slightly open stance, light load and lift to balanced hitting stance, hands stay low and back staying on time with the lower half. Quick to the ball, keeps the barrel through the zone, slight upper half swing. Struggled in a left-on-left matchup where he only saw breaking balls. Hammered a right-handed fastball to center displaying serious pop and the ability for next level home run potential. Plus runner with long strides and good running mechanics. Highest ceiling prospect in the tournament that is a prospect both on the mound and at the plate.

Jones started strong for the Brewers, matching Leiter's two strikeouts in the first inning, but things fell apart after that. He has a long, tall frame, which makes it tough for young arms to repeat their mechanics. He kept his delivery together, but struggled to repeat his release point. He started out spiking his fastball, but was later leaving it up. That being said, he pitched in the high 80s, touching 91, while flashing some run. He spun a curveball at times with 11/5 to 12/6 shape and depth at 74-78.

Jones is extremely athletic for his size, evidenced by his 4.10 run time on a 6-3 putout. His athleticism shines even more on the mound, as his arm is loose, easy, clean and impressively compact for his length. His fastball ranged between 89-92, touching 93 once, with little effort. Although he was a bit erratic around the zone, the upside is undeniable. The Vanderbilt recruit also mixed in a 74-77 curveball with early break.

Vanderbilt commit. Jones is currently ranked fourth in the 2019 class and he proved on Saturday why he has a legitimate shot at taking over the top spot. While his BP rounds were okay, Jones saved his best for the game situations. It's hard to choose where I like Jones better - on the mound or at the plate. On the bump he was 88-91 with his fastball and backed it up with a 73-75 curveball, both of which he threw for strikes. But at the plate he was really impressive. His approach is mature and his swing has a chance to be special. He had a single off an 89 mph fastball in that he muscled to center then he went with a 91 mph fastball away and drove into left field for a standup double.

Jones is one of the top two-way players in the state. At the plate there's a lot of projection thanks in part to present bat speed and feel for the barrel. He's short to the ball and is extended post contact with some present gap power that belies his lithe frame. On the mound the 6-foot-7 southpaw has shown some issues with command but has a nice three-pitch repertoire with his curveball being a potential plus pitch. The pitch shows 11/5 shape and has true two-plane break with sharp biting action.