Powered by a message from Aaron Judge, Yankees’ Spencer Jones hits first homer – The Athletic

CLEVELAND — Spencer Jones was crushed as he walked back into the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. It was late at night on May 21, and Jones had just been demoted, ending his first stint in the majors after years of hard work and hype.

In a matter of days, he would return to Triple A in sleepy Moosic, Pa., longing to be back in New York City.

On the way back to his locker, the Yankees’ top outfield prospect was pulled aside by one of the few people whose job it is to inspire at such a low moment: Aaron Judge.

“You’ve got the poise,” the captain told Jones. “You’ve got everything that we’re looking for with guys on the team. We believe in you. We’re going to need you this year. Stay ready.”

It was just what Jones needed to hear.

“It was one of those things where you have the captain of the team looking out for you,” Jones told The Athletic. “It was pretty sweet.”

It was also the kind of message that Jones continued to lean on before he blasted his first career home run in a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.

Jones’ home run came in the second inning off starting pitcher Slade Cecconi and it was a no-doubter — 443 feet to straightaway center field at 112.2 mph. In a stroke of luck, the ball zoomed into the hedges behind the wall, and a Cleveland staffer was able to retrieve the keepsake.

It sat in a ziplock bag in his locker after the game.

“I’ll have one of the guys write it up for me and I’ll keep it safe,” Jones said.

HOME RUN #1 FOR SPENCER JONES!!! 👏

📽️ @SportsonPrime pic.twitter.com/9qNo0h42Re

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 9, 2026

The home run was exactly what the Yankees dream about when it comes to Jones.

“That’s a line drive to center for most people,” manager Aaron Boone said. “The thing is, he hits it, and you kind of know where it’s going because you know his power. Really impressive.”

A 2022 first-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Jones’ calling card is his prodigious power, the kind of oomph that only a few possess outside of his own teammates in Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

“That was sick,” said Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was on first base at the time of the home run. “Being on base, I thought it was Aaron Judge hitting when he hit that ball. It was blasted off the bat, not going to lie.”

Jones said making his first jog around the bases was “surreal,” and he laughed when he recalled how he looked into the dugout to see his teammates, but none of them were looking back at him.

“Everybody was so jacked up,” he said. “Super special moment for me.”

Jones has continued to produce despite immense pressure ever since the Yankees drafted him and turned him into one of the most scrutinized prospects in the sport.

At 6 feet 7 with impressive athleticism, he draws frequent comparisons to Judge and to Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, after whom he’s remodeled his batting stance. His obvious talent has landed him all over various top prospects lists. His propensity for striking out (32.4 percent at Triple A), however, has led some to question if he’ll ever reach his full potential.

Still, the Yankees are giving Jones chances.

They called him up May 8 when Jasson Domínguez (left shoulder AC joint sprain) went on the injured list. In sporadic playing time over 10 games, he hit just .167 with 12 strikeouts in 27 plate appearances. The Yankees recalled Jones on Friday, when Judge (stress fracture of the first right rib) went on the IL.

Jones had his first three-hit game Friday in a loss to the Boston Red Sox, but Monday night, he struck out three times with a base hit in a win over Cleveland.

With each game, Jones has felt more comfortable, and his teammates say they have been impressed with what they have seen from him.

“Really smart kid,” left fielder Cody Bellinger said. “Really, I think the sky is the limit for him. I think it’s the athleticism. He scoots around the bases. He scoots around the outfield. I was very surprised by that when I saw it in spring training. And he has power to all fields.”

Boone said Jones has consistently given the Yankees good at-bats, even if positive results haven’t followed. He’s also fit into the clubhouse.

“I think he fits in really well,” Boone said. “Guys really like him. Being in spring training with us the last two years, he’s gotten to know our group and a lot of the veteran players. I think that part of it has been pretty seamless.”

Jones said he’s taken the time to pick as many brains as he can and watch routines. He said he hasn’t gotten as much advice as he’s gotten “reassurance.”

“The guys believe in me,” Jones said. “Having that support is something that I take a lot of pride in, and I’m ready to show what I’ve got.”

When he was called up for the first time, Jones was given a new suit, though he wouldn’t tell which teammate gifted it to him. When shortstop Anthony Volpe was called up in 2023, Judge bought a suit for him.

Judge’s support has been especially big for Jones.

“He’s a great captain, and he does such a great job in the clubhouse,” Jones said. “When I got (sent down), he has nothing but great things to say.”

Things that stuck with Jones before he hit his first home run, and will continue to stay with him.