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Scout Compares Spencer Jones to Ex-Yankees Bust
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- Scout Compares Spencer Jones to Ex-Yankees Bust
New York Yankees fans won't enjoy hearing this name.
One National League scout that I spoke with compared top prospect outfielder Spencer Jones, who was recently called up to make his MLB debut, to ex-Yankees bust Joey Gallo .
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"Spencer Jones is eerily similar to Joey Gallo in his ability to impact the baseball," the scout said. "The thing that scares the industry is that Gallo walked at a significantly higher rate than Jones in a time when pitchers threw more strikes in the minor leagues.
"Jones has a chance to balance that difference out with his base stealing ability, but if he struggles to have professional at-bats, he is going to have a short leash.
"(Jones) is another example of having to develop prospects at the major league level due to the ever growing gap between Triple-A and the big-leagues."
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In the minor leagues, Jones, the Yankees' No. 6 ranked prospect, had a 32.7 percent strikeout rate (600 punch outs in 1,833 plate appearances), 10.4 percent walk rate (190 walks), 83 homers, .270/.351/.497 slash line, a .848 OPS and 116 stolen bases in five seasons. His breakout year came in 2025 when he smashed 35 home runs, stole 29 bases and posted a .933 OPS in 116 games.
Gallo's minor league numbers were similar, but his walk rate, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS were significantly higher. The lefty slugger had a 34.2 percent strikeout rate (756 strikeouts across 2,211 plate appearances), 15.2 percent walk rate (335 walks), 163 homers, .250/.369/.583 slash line and a .952 OPS in eight seasons.
Gallo, of course, was known for being an all-or-nothing type of hitter during his time in the majors. He hit an impressive 208 home runs in his 10-year major league career, walked 497 times, but struck out 1,292 times in 2,869 at-bats and had a .194 average.
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Gallo was a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner in the outfield for the Texas Rangers . However, his once promising career fell apart after he was traded to the Yankees at the 2021 MLB trade deadline. He proceeded to hit just 25 homers, produce a .159/.291/.368 slash line and .660 OPS in 140 games in the Bronx. The Yankees traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Clayton Beeter the following year at the 2022 MLB trade deadline.
Gallo, 32, has not appeared in the major leagues since 2024. He is currently transitioning to becoming a pitcher in order to get back to the big-leagues.
The Yankees called up Jones, 25, to make his MLB debut on May 8 after Jasson Dominguez went on the 10-day IL with a AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. Since getting the call, Jones is just 3-for-18 (.167 average) with a .453 OPS, two RBI, three walks and nine strikeouts in seven games. He has also stolen zero bases in the majors.
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Scouts believe Gallo had better plate discipline and patience than Jones in the minors. That being said, Jones had better contact rates, batting average, more speed and athleticism, comparable power and high but marginally more manageable strikeout rates.
If Jones can improve his pitch selection, walk rate and strikeout rate, his elite power and speed should translate into a solid career in the majors.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
