Spencer Jones Ohtani-like swing delivered massive homer in strong Yankees start

TAMPA — Perhaps the next game Spencer Jones plays at Steinbrenner Field, traffic will be temporarily halted on Dale Mabry Highway when the Yankees slugger comes up to bat.That way, the cars driving by beyond the right-field fence will be shielded from baseballs flying their way.Jones had a spring debut Saturday typical of his tantalizing potential, clobbering a mammoth home run that cleared everything in right field and left the entire stadium before striking out in his next two at-bats.The 6-foot-7, lefty slugger has been tinkering with his mechanics once again early in camp but found the right move for his homer that was estimated to travel 408 feet, which seemed incredibly light.“Just trying to get some good feels with the hands, get those going and use that as a trigger,” Jones said during the 20-3 win over the Tigers.On the YES broadcast, David Cone described Jones’ swing as “almost [Shohei] Ohtani-like,” pointing to the toe tap that he was using, which Jones later indicated is something he has looked at.“[Ohtani] is a great reference of a really good mover with a great swing,” Jones said.“He’s one of those guys that I look at some of the stuff he does and try to apply it in whichever way I can.”Jones has also leaned on Aaron Judge, his fellow 6-foot-7 Yankee, for advice on how to make the most of his big frame.

The two spent time in big league camp talking about it last spring and have done so again this year, with Jones coming off a strong year in which he clubbed 35 home runs but struck out 179 times in 506 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A.“I think the biggest thing that I’ve noticed swing-wise is he’s just ready to hit,” said Judge, who also crushed two homers.“The minute he puts that foot down with the little toe-tap, he’s ready to hit.

Maybe they might have got him with a lot of high heaters in the past or even last season.I think that’s just going to help him.

He doesn’t have a big leg kick, he does...