In the vast world of Major League Baseball, it is a rare occurrence to come across a player as exceptional as Aaron Judge. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-7, Judge has proven himself to be the cream of the crop when it comes to everyday position players. Few players of such towering stature have been as successful in MLB history, with the likes of Randy Johnson, a Hall of Fame pitcher who stood at an astonishing 6-foot-10, serving as one of the exceptions.
Now, the New York Yankees have their sights set on cultivating another remarkable talent within their farm system. Meet Spencer Jones, an outfielder who stands tall at 6-foot-6. Drafted in the first round (No. 25 overall) in 2022 out of Vanderbilt, Jones has already shown great promise in the minor leagues. In his 142 games, he has displayed an impressive combination of speed and power, stealing 55 bases in 67 attempts and hitting 35 doubles, 4 triples, and 20 home runs with a solid .279 batting average.
However, it is worth noting that strikeouts have been a challenge for Jones, as he has accumulated 175 of them. Yet, it is important to remember that even Judge himself has struggled with strikeouts throughout his career. On the other hand, Jones has shown decent plate discipline with a 9% walk rate, although it doesn't quite match Judge's illustrious MLB career walk rate of 15.5%.
Scouts have varying opinions on Jones' offensive potential. Some believe that his tendency to hit powerfully to the opposite field is a positive sign of his discipline and ability to drive the ball with his exceptional bat speed. They see it as a testament to his potential success against higher velocity pitches as he progresses through the ranks. On the contrary, there are those who argue that this may indicate potential struggles against higher velocity as he reaches Double-A, Triple-A, and eventually the majors.
Impressively enough, Jones is not just a one-dimensional player. He is versatile enough to play all three outfield positions and even had a promising pitching career before undergoing surgery. With his speed, Jones has the potential to excel in center field, while his arm strength still allows him to handle right field effectively. Given Judge's experience primarily in right field but also in center field, the possibility of the two players playing side-by-side seems like a viable option, provided Jones continues to develop and refine his skills.
As Jones continues to mature and progress in his development, it is expected that his speed may naturally decline while his power emerges. The balance between walks and strikeouts will likely play a significant role in shaping his future trajectory in the league.
Unless Jones has a miraculous spring training, it is likely that he will spend another year honing his skills in the minors. After all, the Yankees already have Judge, Juan Soto, and Alex Verdugo firmly covering all three outfield spots this year, with Trent Grisham and the rookie Jasson Dominguez waiting in the wings. However, for fantasy baseball enthusiasts who have the liberty to think long-term and plan for the future, adding Jones to their rosters this spring could prove to be a shrewd move for the 2025 season.
Before Judge burst onto the scene in 2017, hitting an impressive 52 home runs as the American League Rookie of the Year, and then following it up with 61 homers to earn the title of AL MVP in 2022, there were only a few position players of noteworthy height who achieved significant success in the league.
Frank Howard stands out as one of the most accomplished tall players in MLB history. Standing at 6-foot-7, Howard played for three teams between 1958 and 1973 and belted an impressive 382 home runs. Dubbed 'The Washington Monument' and 'Capital Punisher,' Howard made four consecutive All-Star appearances and racked up 162 homers and 426 RBI from 1968 to 1971.
Another towering figure in MLB history is Richie Sexson, who spent 12 years playing for five different teams, primarily the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Seattle Mariners. Standing at 6-foot-7, Sexson hammered 306 home runs and surpassed the 100-RBI mark five times throughout his career.
Tony Clark, a switch-hitting first baseman towering at 6-foot-8, enjoyed a long career from 1996 to 2009, primarily with the Detroit Tigers. Clark amassed 124 home runs and 391 RBI but struggled with injuries as he played for several other teams towards the end of his career.
Although not renowned for his on-field performance, at 6-foot-8, Michael Weiner - also known as Gene Orza - made his mark as the executive director of the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) from 2013 to 2022, significantly influencing the landscape of the sport.
While his career sadly ended prematurely, Walter Bond showed great promise early on in the 1960s. Standing at 6-foot-7, Bond displayed both power and speed in Cleveland's farm system. In a brief stint with the Indians in 1962, he batted an impressive .380 with 6 home runs and 17 RBI in just 12 games. However, his journey was tragically cut short when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite the disease going into remission in 1963, he was sent back to the minors by the Indians, and they eventually sold him to the Houston Astros. Bond went on to hit 20 home runs for the Astros in 1964 before being traded to the Minnesota Twins. Sadly, the leukemia returned, and Bond passed away in September 1967. He and Judge are the only 6-foot-7 players to have played center field in the majors.
Another noteworthy figure in recent history is Oneil Cruz, the tallest shortstop in MLB history at 6-foot-7. Cruz showcased great promise during his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022, boasting an outstanding .310 batting average, 17 home runs, and 19 stolen bases in the minors. Unfortunately, his progress was hindered in 2023 after he broke his left leg in April. Nonetheless, his talent and potential cannot be ignored, and fans and analysts eagerly await his full recovery and return to the diamond.
In the vast and storied history of Major League Baseball, players like Aaron Judge and those who have come before him, with their exceptional height and outstanding skills, have left an indelible mark on the sport. As fans and enthusiasts, we can't help but wonder who the next tall sensation will be and how they will impact the game in the years to come.
