Prior to the middle of the three-game set between the Yankees and Athletics on Saturday, manager Aaron Boone spoke on a number of topics…
Giancarlo Stanton 'close to exploding
Saturday will be Stanton's 10th game since returning from the IL. And while the slugger hasn't gone deep yet, his presence has provided the Yankees and Boone a formidable right-handed bat.
However, while numbers don't tell the whole story, Boone feels Stanton is close to breaking out in a big way.
"He hasn't hit the ball out the ballpark yet, but I feel like there's been half a dozen balls whether he's hit really hard in play or just missed," Boone said. "I feel like he's been on time really well. For the most part, I think his swing decisions have been good. He looks really good to me.
"He's really close to exploding. He's been getting his hits. He's hitting the ball hard. He's taking a couple walks here, which has been good. Overall, he's been pretty good."
In his first nine games, Stanton is 4-for-22 (.267) with a double, four walks and two RBI.
Latest on the closer situation
Before Luke Weaver landed on the IL, the young right-hander became the Yankees' closer, moving Devin Williams to the set-up role. When Weaver got hurt, Williams resumed his closer duty and hasn't relinquished it.
Since Weaver's return, the closer situation has returned to what it was when the season began. Boone was asked if that's how it's going to be for now on.
"With Weave being a little cognizant of coming off the IL, we weren’t going to use him — now, we probably would, — but we weren’t going to use them in that four-out situation. In his first couple [outings], we weren’t going to go back-to-back right away. Feel like we're off and running with that. Now, I feel like he's in a good spot.
"He’ll still get some save opportunities, but I like him in front of [Williams] as that fireman. You know, if I need an out in the seventh or something. We'll see. They'll both be in play."
Boone said that his decision to keep Williams to pitch the ninth has a little to do with the game situation but it's hard to put Weaver back in the closer's role with how effective Williams has been.
Williams hasn't allowed a run in eight consecutive outings (7.2 IP), only allowing three hits while striking out nine batters and locking down five saves.
Spencer Jones 'moving the needle' for Yankees
In Yankees prospect news, Spencer Jones was promoted to Triple-A on Friday. The high prospect has not shot through the minors as the organization may have first thought he would, but the promotion is a great sign for Jones and the Yankees.
Boone was asked about his assessment of Jones from, admittedly, afar.
"First of all, I thought he did a good job in spring training with us. He was there for a little while longer than the year prior. Got off to a pretty solid start [this year], had the injury, which just knocked him down for a couple weeks, but he's performed, which has been good. He's performed at a high level at Double-A. Definitely checked that box, and now it's on to Triple-A, where hopefully he continues to develop."
In his first game with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Jones homered in his first at-bat, and finished 1-for-5. And while there's still a way's to go in Jones' development, Boone feels there's a very high ceiling for the outfielder.
"The ceiling's real. The speed and power, and athleticism's real. So it's just about plugging some holes, continue to tighten up as a big guy, which could be challenging, but if you master it, it could be pretty awesome. He's moving the needle."
In June, Jones is slashing .313, .387/.651 with eight home runs and 16 RBI.
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