KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The first meet-and-greet between Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge and center field prospect Spencer Jones began with a handshake and a giggle.
Neither had to look down.
“It was funny because we were looking eye-to-eye at each other,” Jones said before coming off the bench for the Yankees in Tuesday’s 12-0 loss to the Braves at Disney World. “I was like, ‘This is new.’”
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Both are very big men. Judge is listed at 6-foot-7, 282, Jones at 6-foot-7, 225.
Since Jones was drafted by the Yankees in the first round last June out of college power Vanderbilt, he’s been called a left-handed version of the American League’s new single-season home run leader.
“It’s definitely a compliment,” Jones said. “It’s cool. But at the end of the day, I’m just going to do what I do, There’s only one Aaron Judge, right? And there’s only going to be one me.”
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Like Judge, who hit 62 homers last year, Jones has the makings of a prolific slugger with an all-around game. He sure opened eyes late last summer when he began his pro career going 5-for-10 with a homer and two steals in three rookie-league games, then raked at a .345 clip with four homers, 12 RBI and 10 steals in 10 tries in 22 games with Low-A Tampa.
“Even though he’s our first pick last year, he kind of surpassed our expectations a little bit just with the all-around polish to his game,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He did a lot of really good things. I know our player development crew currently is really excited about him and his potential.”
Jones could be a fast mover up the Yankees’ farm system. He’ll probably start the season with High-A Hudson Valley and potentially play his way to Double-A Somerset.
“We’ll see,” said Jones, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Yankees’ seventh-best prospect. “Whatever happens, happens. I don’t have a say in a lot of that stuff.”
This spring, the Yankees are giving him the elite-prospect treatment calling him over from the minor-league complex for a lot of their Grapefruit League games.
Jones, 21, has been on the Yankees’ roster for their last three and made late-game cameos in each. Facing older and more experienced pitchers, he’s 0-for-5 with five strikeouts at the plate so far counting his two whiffs against the Braves. He still found a way to impress the other day, though.
“Watching him run that ball down in right center,” Boone said, “for a really big guy, watching him move and glide towards that was really good to see.”
Following that initial meeting between Jones and Judge, the Yankees’ twin towers ran into each other again in a clubhouse weight room.
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There, Judge offered a little advice on preparation.
“You already have the power, so it’s about moving right and staying healthy,” Judge told Jones.
The protégé was all ears then, and it’s been the same for all of his summons to the big club. While in company of major leaguers, he’s trying to soak in as much information as he can.
“Anytime you’re around so many great athletes and great people, you can learn a lot not even speaking to them,” he said. “Just watch them. I’ve been doing my best to watch and listen as much as possible. It’s been great so far.”
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Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com.