Yankees’ Spencer Jones Compared to Aaron Judge: Prospect Breakdown

This week, MLB Pipeline dove headfirst into the uproar around their new sleepers/”>Top 100 Prospects list. As always, readers had plenty to say, and debates flared up everywhere you looked.

The article and its podcast companion tried to break down the tricky business of ranking young talent. They used specific prospect matchups to show why it’s never as simple as just comparing stats.

The Perennial Prospect Debate: More Than Just Numbers

Honestly, nothing gets baseball fans talking quite like a fresh prospect list. It’s a yearly ritual—sometimes a little heated, but always entertaining. MLB Pipeline’s latest inbox column really captured that energy. If you care about baseball’s future, you’ve probably got a strong opinion about who belongs at the top.

Spencer Jones Vs. A.J. Ewing: A Tale of Two Skill Sets

One hot topic was the contrast between Spencer Jones and A.J. Ewing. Pipeline warned against making lazy, one-to-one comparisons. They’re right—these guys have very different games, and their journeys to the majors won’t look the same.

• A.J. Ewing: Ewing’s profile jumps off the page with *plus defense*, *70-grade speed*, and a .315/.401/.429 slash line in Double-A—all at just 20. Toss in *70 stolen bases*, and you’ve got a player who changes games in ways that go way beyond home runs. Scouts love this kind of athleticism, even if he’s not launching balls out of the park every night.
• Spencer Jones: Jones, meanwhile, is a bit of a puzzle. Pipeline flagged his *36.6% strikeout rate* in projected Triple-A action for 2025, plus *109 strikeouts to just 26 walks* over 298 plate appearances. Sure, he’s got power, but those strikeouts? That’s a red flag, and it’s not something you can just ignore because he hits the ball hard.

The Fluidity of Rankings: Beyond the Top 100

It’s easy to forget how quickly these rankings can shift. They’re really just snapshots, and as Spring Training gets going, everything can change in a hurry. The “just missed” crowd is where you’ll often find tomorrow’s breakout stars—sometimes hiding in plain sight.

My Personal “Just Missed” List: Five Names to Watch

The Pipeline piece offered a peek at prospects 101–105, and I found myself nodding along. These players are right there, knocking on the door. Here are the names and some big questions lingering for each:

• Tyson Lewis (Reds): Can he keep hitting as he faces tougher pitchers?
• Jeferson Quero (Brewers): Will his glove and bat hold up against better competition?
• Ethan Salas (Padres): He’s so young—does he keep improving, or does he hit a wall?
• Andrew Fischer (Brewers): Is his power for real, and can he round out the rest of his game?
• Gage Wood (Phillies): Can he sharpen his command and stay healthy enough to reach his ceiling?

With a strong spring and a bit of luck, any of these guys could break into the official list by mid-season. You just never know. Take *Florentino* in the Pirates system—he shot up from Rookie ball to the Top 100 in almost no time. There’s always someone ready to surprise us.

Hidden Gems: Other Prospects Poised for a Breakout

There’s always a deeper pool of talent out there, just beyond the obvious “just missed” group. Pipeline tossed out a short list of overlooked prospects who might just rise up soon.

These are the names that savvy fantasy owners and die-hard baseball fans keep tabs on. Sometimes, today’s sleeper turns into tomorrow’s sensation—it’s wild how fast things can change.

• Luke Dickerson
• Kellon Lindsey
• Raudi Rodriguez
• Juan Sanchez
• Adam Serwinowski
• Juan Valera

Honestly, prospect analysis stays fun because it’s always changing. Even after three decades, I still get a kick out of the jokes about my last name—it’s just part of loving this sport.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Inbox: Comparing Yankees’ Jones to Judge as a prospect