Yankees' Aaron Judge Praises Spencer Jones' Swing Adjustment

The young slugger's new approach has the star outfielder optimistic about his potential.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 9:51pm

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New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones has made a significant adjustment to his swing, keeping his front foot down for longer to generate better contact. This change has caught the eye of teammate Aaron Judge, who believes it could be a "game-changer" for the young slugger.

Why it matters

The Yankees have a crowded outfield, with Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham all expected to see significant playing time. However, Jones and Jasson Dominguez are two young talents who could push for more opportunities if they perform well. Judge's praise of Jones' swing adjustment suggests the team is high on the 6-foot-7 outfielder's potential.

The details

Jones previously had an inconsistent swing with his front foot in the air, but he has now started to mirror Shohei Ohtani's approach of keeping that front foot down as much as possible. Through 10 spring training at-bats, the change has paid off, with Jones hitting three home runs. Judge has noticed the difference, saying Jones is "ready to hit" the moment he plants his front foot.

  • Jones made the swing adjustment over the offseason.
  • Through 10 at-bats in spring training, Jones has three home runs.

The players

Aaron Judge

A star outfielder for the New York Yankees and a future Hall of Famer.

Spencer Jones

A young Yankees outfielder who has made a significant swing adjustment in an effort to earn more playing time.

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What they’re saying

“I think the biggest thing that I've noticed swing-wise is he's just ready to hit. The minute he puts that foot down with the little toe-tap, he's ready to hit.”

— Aaron Judge

“He doesn't have a big leg kick; he doesn't have to worry about getting that down. That quickness, that readiness is really going to be a game-changer for him.”

— Aaron Judge

What’s next

If Jones can continue to perform well with his new swing adjustment in the minor leagues, he could earn a call-up to the major league club early in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Aaron Judge's praise of Spencer Jones' swing adjustment suggests the Yankees are high on the young outfielder's potential, even with a crowded outfield. Jones' new approach, which mirrors Shohei Ohtani's, could be a "game-changer" and help him earn more playing time in the future.