- Full name Shane Spencer
- Born 02/20/1972 in Key West, FL
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- Debut 04/10/1998
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Background: Always a patient hitter, Spencer blossomed in 1998, raising his batting average 81 points from 1997 while maintaining his power. Spencer's September power display and postseason heroics are already a part of Yankees lore. Strengths: Spencer's power has been evident for some time, as his 119 minor league homers attest. His 1998 improvement resulted from staying back and using the entire field rather than trying to pull everything. Spencer's work ethic and hard-nosed approach fit in perfectly in the tight-knit Yankees clubhouse. Weaknesses: Spencer is strictly left field material, with playable range and a below-average but accurate arm. The Yankees tried him at first base late in the year with poor results. The Future: Is "The Natural" for real or is he the next Kevin Maas? Yankees fans were captivated by his power and innocence and will undoubtedly demand that Spencer get a full opportunity in 1999. A platoon with Ledee seems like an ideal alternative.
