Five Tool Talent Or Not, Jones Doesn't Have What It Takes!

I’ve taken a lot of heat from fans for over a year now about Spencer Jones. I think the Yankees missed the boat and should’ve cut their losses with Jones a long time ago. It’s a harsh reality that I understand some just can’t accept. If Jones could turn it around and make me eat my words I’d gladly eat crow. I’m still waiting…..

And I just don’t think it is going to happen. I have salivated over guys before in the past and they didn’t amount to anything. It happens. I just wonder how much longer we need to wait around and see more of the same and no progression before fans and Yankee brass alike realizes Jones isn’t getting better and it’s time to strategize for a future without Jones.

This weekend, we saw more smoke and mirrors from Jones. Yesterday, the RailRiders beat the Red Wings 16 to 5. Jones had 5 at bats, he hit a Grand Slam which is what fans love to hear, but he also struck out three times. That’s not what I want to hear. I’m tired of the the “you have to take the good with the bad” thought process some fans have. THIS is exactly what is holding Jones back and he’s not fixing it. I’m not going to cheer for a grand slam when the kid continues to swing and miss. It’s not a trade off!

The season is young, I get it. Regardless of how few games have been played, Jones has 19 strikeouts in 36 plate appearances. This is the same concern the Yankees have had for years now. His spring training looked good, but now we are back to normal….and normal isn’t good for Jones. At all. This is why he is not in the big leagues and why he shouldn’t even be considered.

Young season or not, he is continuing the same pattern. He strikes out too much, doesn’t walk enough and has fleeting moments of greatness. This is not a new problem, it’s also not a problem that looks like it is getting better. The Yankees should be concerned, even scouts know it, read more HERE.
“It’s early, it’s cold and he spent a lot of the spring in big league camp. But you can’t strike out half the time, either.” That’s the truth. 

Jones has over 1,500 at bats in the minors. He’s had plenty of time to work on his weaknesses. He needs to stop having fleeting moments of greatness and start showing he can have consistent results and make contact. He has to be more than a “feat or famine” type of player. We’ve had way too many of those guys. We don’t need the new Joey Gallo, we’ve been there and done that. That’s not going to cut it. I really don’t think this is a matter of not putting in the work to change the results. He’s put in the time, but now we need to start having those tough, honest conversations about if the necessary skill is there. 

So those of you of the opinion of “take the good with the bad” we have a whole roster of that. We’ve had years of teams with that. There’s too much bad compared to the good to keep this insanity going. I don’t think Jones has what it takes. I’m sorry to say it….but sometimes you gotta accept the harsh realities.