With the deadline to add players to 40-man rosters approaching at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, two eligible Yankees prospects are assured protection from the Rule 5 Draft.
That would be Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, top-100 prospects who ended the 2025 season at Triple-A. Both could impact the Yankees in 2026 if they remain part of the organization. Jones’ chances of doing so have been mentioned by Brian Cashman multiple times this offseason, though his timeline could be impacted by the free agent decisions of Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, as well as Jasson Domínguez’s standing with the Yankees.
“He’s earned, without a doubt, the look in the competition, but again, it all depends on how many opportunities exist based on the decisions that come out of this winter,” Cashman said of Jones, a 2022 first-round pick who has been working out at Yankee Stadium recently. “But he’s put himself in a position to be considered a potential everyday major leaguer in 2026.”
Tasked with repeating Double-A last year after a strikeout-heavy season in 2024, Jones put together a monstrous 2025 campaign. With a promotion to Triple-A earned midway through the year, the 24-year-old crushed 35 home runs while hitting .274 with a .932 OPS, 80 RBI and 29 stolen bases.
However, Jones still struck out at a 35.4% clip while battling back spasms, and his 72% in-zone contact rate would have been the worst in the majors. The center fielder’s speed-power combo is tantalizing, but those metrics make it tough to predict what type hitter he will be in the big leagues, especially with his 6-7 frame.
Rodriguez-Cruz, meanwhile, thrived during his first season in the Yankees organization after being acquired from the Red Sox in a trade for Carlos Narváez last winter.
“ERC” rapidly shot up the ranks, beginning his year at High-A, shining there and at Double-A, and making his final start of the season at Triple-A. All in all, the right-handed starter ended up with an 11-8 record, 2.58 ERA, 57 walks and 176 strikeouts over 150 innings.
In a perfect world, Rodriguez-Cruz would get more time to develop at Triple-A next season. However, what the Yankees do this winter – and their health – could once again have an influence.
The team is already set to start the season with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt on the injured list. That leaves the Yankees’ rotation with Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Luis Gil and Ryan Yarbrough, who agreed to a one-year deal with the team on Monday.
Cashman would be wise to add some experienced starting pitching depth, especially since more injuries can always pop up in the spring and early parts of the season. But he’s also noted that he will want some roster flexibility when his injured starters return. Yarbrough fits that mold already, but that could also create an opportunity for a youngster like Rodriguez-Cruz.
“Will he pitch in the big leagues next season?” Kevin Reese, the Yankees’ vice president of player development, wondered in September. “I think it’s fair to say he will be amongst those competing with a realistic shot.”
While Jones and Rodriguez-Cruz are locks for the 40-man roster and Rule 5 protection, they are not the only eligible prospects heading into Tuesday.
Chase Hampton, once considered a top-100 prospect himself, is an interesting candidate for protection. The righty would have likely made his MLB debut already if not for injuries over the last two seasons, including a Tommy John operation last spring.
Hampton’s surgery, ongoing recovery and impending rehab assignment – coupled with his talent – could actually make him an attractive Rule 5 pick, as those factors will cut down on the number of days he needs to be on a potential new team’s active roster.
Brendan Beck, another righty, also has a chance at protection given the current status of the Yankees’ rotation. While there are questions about how his stuff will translate to the majors, he has more experience than Rodriguez-Cruz and Carlos Lagrange, another top-100 prospect.
Other Rule 5 eligible prospects in the Yankees’ system include righty relievers Harrison Cohen and Eric Reyzelman – the Bombers’ bullpen has a bunch of holes – southpaw starters Henry Lalane, Brock Selvidge and Allen Facundo; first baseman T.J. Rumfield; outfielder Jace Avina; and catcher Manuel Palencia.
