Spencer Jones opens up about the mentor who has helped shape his Yankees journey (Image via IG/X)Spencer Jones has spent years watching Aaron Judge from a distance. Now, the New York Yankees rookie is getting the chance to learn from the superstar up close, and he clearly understands how valuable that opportunity is. Jones recently shared an honest view of Judge, pointing to the veteran’s willingness to help and explain the thinking behind his game. For a young player trying to establish himself in the majors, having someone like Judge in the same clubhouse can make a real difference. Jones’ comments also give fans a closer look at the relationship developing between two Yankees outfielders as New York heads toward the postseason.Spencer Jones explains why Aaron Judge has been such an important mentorJones’ praise for Judge was not simply about the Yankees captain’s production on the field. Instead, he focused on the way Judge interacts with younger players and makes himself available when they need guidance.Judge has been around Jones since the rookie was selected in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Over the years, that connection has grown, with Judge asking Jones questions and offering advice about different parts of the game.For Jones, that experience has become even more valuable now that both players are sharing a Yankees clubhouse and dugout.“Judge has been incredible. I think since I’ve been drafted, he’s been around. He’s been probing me, asking me questions. I think what’s so great about him is that there’s no guesswork to what he does. He’s got a reason behind a lot of things. He’s got opinions. He wants to help. And for a young player, it doesn’t get much better than that. Just as far as somebody who’s my size and plays a position that I do, and just being able to literally ask the greatest hitter of the last however many years certain questions about a swing or an approach or how to navigate, where to go to dinner, all of these things. This guy is in everybody’s corner here, and he’s been in mine for the last handful of years, and more so now that we’re sharing a dugout together. Yeah, he’s been a very incredible mentor, and I’m excited to keep working with him.”The quote shows why Jones values Judge beyond his status as one of baseball’s biggest stars. The rookie can ask him about hitting, preparation and the smaller details that come with playing in the majors.That access can be difficult for a young player to find, especially when the person offering advice has already experienced the pressure that comes with being the face of the Yankees.Yankees fans can now see why the Jones and Judge pairing mattersJones made his MLB debut this season and has become part of the Yankees’ plans during an important stretch of the year. His development is now happening alongside Judge, giving the young outfielder a rare opportunity to learn from one of the best hitters of his generation.The timing is also important for New York.Judge recently returned to the lineup after missing 84 games because of a rib stress fracture. His return gives the Yankees another major offensive weapon as they fight for position in the American League and prepare for the postseason.Jones has given the team reasons to remain interested in his development, too. Through 72 games, he was batting .245 with a .326 on-base percentage and a .446 slugging percentage. He had also hit nine home runs and driven in 31 runs.Fans are especially excited about seeing Jones and Judge share the outfield. The idea of the established superstar working alongside a promising young player has added another layer to the Yankees’ late-season story.MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM captured the relationship with a simple line: “Almost everyone looks up to Aaron Judge, literally. Spencer Jones looks up to him, figuratively.”That reaction says plenty about how Judge is viewed inside and outside the Yankees clubhouse. But Jones’ comments show there is more to the relationship than admiration.For the rookie, Judge is someone he can turn to with questions, someone who explains the reasons behind his approach and someone who wants younger players to succeed.As the Yankees push toward October, that kind of connection could become increasingly valuable. Jones is still learning what it takes to thrive in the majors, and he has one of baseball’s biggest stars close by to help him figure it out.