On February 7, the Yankees confirmed a list of 19 players who will be headed to 2025 Spring Training as non-roster invites. It brings New York’s total non-roster list to 26, a list that includes notable former Major Leaguers and top prospects.
The Yankees are bringing three notable hitting prospects: Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr., and Roderick Arias.
Jones had a loud 2024 spring, hitting .444/.583/.722 with a home run and three extra-base hits. Last season with Somerset, Jones hit .259/.336/.452 with 17 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and 53 extra-base hits over 122 games.
It’s hard to say Jones took a step forward in 2024. He struck 200 times last season, a significant concern heading into 2025, where he’ll likely begin in Scranton. As we noted in 2023, Jones has plus raw power and projects to be a 25-30 home run hitter at best. However, he’s got a long swing, one that still exists despite tweaks made last winter.
Arias, meanwhile, had his first year of full-season pro ball in 2024. The 20-year-old switch-hitter batted .233/.325/.393 with 13 home runs and 37 stolen bases. Arias, who will likely start at Hudson Valley (A+), displayed good pop, with a 7.5% Barrel% (among tracked pitches) as a 19-year-old.
George Lombard Jr., meanwhile, was the Yankees’ first-round pick in 2023. Lombard Jr., like Arias, will need time, as the son of George Lombard spent most of 2024 in Tampa (A). He stole 39 bases and is an athlete to say the least. However, Lombard Jr.’s numbers (.672 OPS) weren’t as impressive.
As for the pitchers, the Yankees will give prospect Chase Hampton a look. Hampton, a sixth-round pick out of Texas Tech in 2024, pitched very well in 2023, with 145 strikeouts over 106 frames. The 23-year-old spent most of 2024 on the IL, only making two starts in Double-A. However, he’s arguably the Yankees’ best pitching prospect.
Former Northeastern product Cam Schlittler will also be in camp. Schlitter isn’t an imposing pitcher, with a 91-93 MPH fastball that plays up with the movement & extension. However, he’s got good secondary offerings and struck out 154 batters over 120 innings, spent between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A.
The rest of the prospect list includes Duke Ellis, T.J. Rumfield, Sean Boyle, Omar Martinez, Kevin Stevens, Eric Reyzelman, Erick Leal, and Leonardo Pestana.
The list also includes former Rays catcher Alex Jackson, acquired in the Jose Trevino/Fernando Cruz trade from December, Dominic Smith, Brandon Leibrandt, and Carlos Carrasco. Carrasco, who spent 2024 with the Guardians, struck out 89 over 103.2 IP with a 5.64 ERA.
Additionally, Geoff Hartlieb, Brennen Davis, Colten Brewer, Wilking Rodriguez, and Andrew Velazquez will head to Tampa.
The Yankees join the Angels & Pirates as team to have announced their non-roster list. Los Angeles (AL) and Pittsburgh did so on February 4.