Spencer Jones, Drew Thorpe among must-see prospects as Hudson Valley Renegades open season

Spencer Jones sat excitedly, surrounded by about 100 relatives and friends who crammed into his living room and eagerly awaited good news.

It was just after the 24th selection was made in the Major League Baseball draft that he received a text message from Damon Oppenheimer, the New York Yankees director of scouting.

The message read, simply, “You’re gonna enjoy this next one." Jones then was announced as the 25th pick, igniting an uproarious and emotional celebration.

“We went crazy!” the 21-year-old said. “I was super excited, then I saw my grandpa crying. I told him I loved him.”

Tears of joy, as Lee Anderson was elated to watch his grandson take a huge step toward realizing a childhood fantasy.

And, shortly after Jones was chosen, as Vanderbilt University highlights were shown and his measurements posted during the broadcast, Yankees fans were abuzz on social media.

They noticed the first-round pick was a 6-foot-7 power-hitting outfielder from California. Immediately, the comparisons were made, followed by some lofty projections.

“Quite a bit,” Jones said with a grin when asked how often Aaron Judge is mentioned to him. “He’s someone my size who’s succeeding, so I try to model myself after him to an extent.”

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Jones, as he often has been throughout his career, will be the center of attention this spring, headlining the Hudson Valley Renegades roster as their season begins Friday at home.

“We’re super excited,” manager Sergio Santos said. “This time of the year, when we’re just beginning, expectations are high, and the guys can’t wait get to get started.”

The Yankees’ High-A affiliate opens against Greensboro, 6:05 p.m. at Heritage Financial Park in Fishkill. Oh, you might remember it as “Dutchess Stadium,” but the venue was renamed last month as part of a naming rights deal the organization brokered in the winter.

That was among a series of changes made during an eventful offseason that included the ratification of the first minor-league collective bargaining agreement, and the beginning of a $25 million county-funded renovation of the ballpark.

“It’s something you notice right away as a player,” outfielder Kyle Battle said of the completed stadium upgrades, which include spruced-up locker rooms and additional padding on the outfield walls. “You walk in and the first thing you see is the wall and the big batter’s eye, and it makes this place look 10 times better.”

The construction project includes the eventual erection of a spiffy new clubhouse with a restaurant that’s expected to be completed next spring.

“It makes it fun coming to the ballpark,” Battle continued. “When I got here last year, the fans and staff welcomed me with open arms. It’s a great experience for a player.”

The Renegades hope it will be as enjoyable for the fans as the stadium drew an average of 2,832 spectators last year. Their hope is to increase that number, and a draw is the recent track record of ballyhooed prospects starring there before rocketing through the farm system.

Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza played for them in 2021 and both are Yankees now, with Volpe the starting shortstop. Jasson Dominguez could be next in line after offering the Hudson Valley a glimpse of his potential last summer, and all of baseball a showing during spring training last month.

“It’s unbelievable to have guys like them, and others who’ll be there in the next couple years, as part of our alumni,” Renegades general manager Tyson Jeffers said. “They create a stir for the fans while they’re here, and it’s fun for us to tell those stories.”

Jones is the organization’s fifth-rated prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He excelled last year in his professional debut, hitting .325 with three homers and 10 steals in 22 games at Low-A Tampa.

The left-handed slugger said he’s spoken to Judge and picked the superstar’s brain about workout routines and body maintenance.

Drew Thorpe, a second-round pick last year, is their eighth-ranked prospect and will debut with the Renegades. The right-hander is billed as a good athlete with an array of off-speed pitches. He was recruited to Cal Poly as a two-way player, having had some experience at catcher, shortstop and in the outfield.

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“We’re strong pitching-wise, and we’ve got some guys who can thump the ball,” said Santos, who played for six seasons in the big leagues. “At this level, (the players) are at the point where the skillset is there. We look to help them become more consistent and build on their talent.”

The roster features five players who are among the Yankees’ top 30 prospects, including right-handed pitchers Zach Messinger and Chase Hampton, and catcher Antonio Gomez. There are 14 players returning to the team from last season, including infielder Spencer Henson, who hit 10 homers in 71 games.

Infielder Caleb Durbin, 23, makes his organizational debut after being acquired from the Braves as part of a December trade involving reliever Lucas Luetge.

“It’s exciting to get back to playing games that count,” said Battle, who joined the Renegades late last season and batted .321 in eight games. “I really like the talent we have here, and I think we’ll do well.”

‘A change we’re proud of’

Major League Baseball owners this week voted unanimously to ratify a collective bargaining agreement with minor league players that promises increased salaries and improved conditions.

The move came after the minor leaguers unionized last fall, seeking facility upgrades, better housing during the season and a pay bump.

“Minor leaguers deserve to be treated like professional athletes,” Jones said. “It was long overdue and, now that we have a platform to negotiate, it’s gonna lead to better things in the future.”

The CBA includes a significant raise for players at all levels of the minors. At High-A, the salary range reportedly will be $27,000 to $34,000, depending on how much time is spent at team facilities during the offseason. Previously, players at this level made $11,000. Payment, of course, is scaled, with Triple-A players earning up to $42,000.

“When the salaries were discussed (before the change), I saw it was the same thing I was making 20 years ago,” said Santos, who was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002.

Payment isn’t as much of an issue for high draft picks, many of whom ink contracts with six- and seven-figure signing bonuses. But for most players, the minor-league experience often includes a financial grind, with the dream of making the majors serving as the dangling carrot.

Santos said most of his contemporaries worked part-time jobs in the offseason to make ends meet, while juggling the responsibilities of training and honing their skills.

“This was something they needed to do and I’m glad they did it so these guys can focus more on baseball,” the manager said.

MLB said in a statement the changes are in line with a commitment it made four years ago to “modernize baseball’s player development system.” The planned upgrades, they wrote, include improved clubhouse conditions and reduced travel for games.

“It’s cool that after all this time, we were able to organize and create a change we’re proud of,” Jones said.

Gym, tan, ballgame

Renegades vice president Rick Zolzer remembers when Nicole Polizzi was on a cheerleading team with his daughters. He remembers when she worked a concession stand at then-Dutchess Stadium. He also remembers vividly that day when she told him, “I’m going to this audition for a show on MTV.”

Now, almost 15 years later, the Marlboro High School grad is known to millions of fans as “Snooki.”

The “Jersey Shore” star plans a return to her old stamping grounds as the Renegades on Sept. 8 will host Snooki Night. The evening will include a bobblehead doll in her likeness, a meet-and-greet, and the baseball team sporting jerseys that she designed.

“You can laugh at me if you want,” Zolzer said, “but that’s the event here I’m looking forward to the most.”

The Renegades have planned 21 giveaways and 10 special appearances among their themed events this season.

Another that figures to be popular will be Jasson Dominguez bobblehead night on Aug. 10. Nicknamed “The Martian,” the Yankees No. 2 prospect will be depicted inside a miniature space capsule. Marvel night on July 14 will call on fans to show up at the ballpark dressed as their favorite superhero.

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Renegades: Spencer Jones, Drew Thorpe among must-see Yankees prospects