The Yankees protected three eligible prospects from the Rule 5 Draft by including them to their 40-man roster on Tuesday, together with Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodríguez.
The 2 top-100 prospects had been locks to be added earlier than Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline. Nonetheless, the Bombers additionally put Chase Hampton on their 40-man squad.
Jones, 24, has an opportunity to affect the Yankees in 2026 if he stays with the membership, as Brian Cashman just lately mentioned that the middle fielder has “put himself in a position to be considered a potential everyday major leaguer.” Simply what function he performs may very well be decided by the remainder of the Yankees’ offseason although, because the crew is anticipated to proceed its pursuit of Cody Bellinger, greatest suited to left subject, after middle fielder Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying provide on Tuesday.
Jasson Domínguez’s standing with the Yankees might additionally affect what they do with Jones. Each children might turn out to be commerce chips.
Jones was requested to repeat Double-A final yr after a strikeout-heavy 2024 season. He responded with a superb 2025 marketing campaign, totaling 35 house runs, a .274 common, a .932 OPS, 80 RBI and 29 stolen bases whereas incomes a promotion to Triple-A halfway via the yr.
Nonetheless, strikeouts remained a difficulty for Jones, who additionally battled again spasms through the season. He struck out at a 35.4% clip, and his 72% in-zone contact charge would have been the worst within the majors. These numbers make it troublesome to foretell what sort hitter the 6-7 Jones will likely be on the subsequent degree.
Rodríguez — whose final identify was beforehand listed as “Rodriguez-Cruz” — shined throughout his first season within the Yankees’ system after being traded from the Purple Sox in a deal for Carlos Narváez final offseason.
He started the season at Excessive-A, thrived there and at Double-A, and made his final begin of the season at Triple-A. By yr’s finish, the right-handed starter had an 11-8 file, a 2.58 ERA, 57 walks and 176 strikeouts over 150 innings.
Ideally, the 22-year-old Rodríguez would get extra seasoning at Triple-A subsequent season. Nonetheless, the Yankees’ offseason plans and well being will have an effect on his timetable.
With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt beginning the yr on the injured listing, the Yankees’ rotation is right down to Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Luis Gil and Ryan Yarbrough, who agreed to a one-year take care of the crew on Monday.
The Yankees would profit from including one other frontline starter, however it stays to be seen how a lot Hal Steinbrenner is keen to spend on payroll. Cashman has additionally mentioned he’ll need some roster flexibility when his injured starters return. Yarbrough, a swingman, will assist in that regard, and Rodríguez can present extra cost-efficient depth.
The proper-handed Hampton, as soon as a top-100 prospect himself, would have probably made his main league debut already if not for accidents during the last two years, together with a Tommy John process final spring. His ongoing restoration and impending rehab project — alongside along with his expertise — would have made him an interesting Rule 5 Draft choose, as these elements would have shortened the variety of days he would have needed to be on a brand new crew’s lively roster.
Hampton, 24, had a 2.89 ERA over seven begins between Rookie ball, Single-A and Double-A in 2024. He handled a flexor pressure that season.
With Grisham and Yarbrough returning, the Yankees’ 40-man roster now has each spot accounted for, although it formally stood at 38 gamers on the time of publication.
Some eligible Yankees prospects who weren’t added to the 40-man roster and protected against the Rule 5 Draft embody righty relievers Harrison Cohen and Eric Reyzelman; left-handed starters Henry Lalane, Brock Selvidge and Allen Facundo; first baseman T.J. Rumfield; outfielder Jace Avina; and catcher Manuel Palencia.
The Rule 5 Draft will happen on Dec. 10 through the Winter Conferences in Orlando.
