After losing Juan Soto, the Yankees must give Jasson Dominguez a chance to prove he belongs in the big leagues.
While losing top free-agent slugger Juan Soto to their crosstown rivals was undoubtedly a blow to the New York Yankees, manager Aaron Boone also sees it as an opportunity. The front office quickly pivoted after Soto signed with the New York Mets by adding left-handed starter Max Fried, closer Devin Williams and infielder/outfielder Cody Bellinger.
Boone views this as a chance for the organization’s top prospect to prove himself.
“I’m really excited about Jason Dominguez this year and what he’s going to bring,” Boone said Friday morning on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove.” So now do I want to keep him in left (field) full time? Do I want to play him in center?”
New York Yankees center fielder Jasson Dominguez.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Dominguez, who turns 22 in February, will finally get a chance to prove he belongs in the big leagues this year. Earlier in the offseason, Yankees GM Brian Cashman sent a strong message that this spring is the time for the switch-hitting prospect to take the opportunity and run with it.
“I’d like to see Dominguez get his shot now,’’ Cashman told the New York Post. “He’s young. He’s got to earn it and retain it.”
Last season, Dominguez got a chance and lost it. In 18 games, he slashed .179/.313/.304 with two homers and four RBI. He began the season coming off Tommy John surgery and missed more time after suffering an oblique strain in June.
That has not dimmed the Yankees’ hopes for “The Martian,” whom they signed to a franchise-record $5.1 million international signing pool bonus as a 16-year-old in 2019.
In 58 games at Triple-A last season, Dominguez had what they feel is a more representative season. He hit .314/.376/.504 with 11 home runs, 35 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 58 games.
His power and speed combined with his ability to get on base (he had a .313 on-base percentage in his short stint with the Yankees last season) hint that deciding where to put Dominguez defensively isn’t going to be Boone’s only decision.
While Boone likes to put younger players lower in his lineups, YES Network’s Jack Curry and Michael Kay suggested that Dominguez could also step into the void Soto left at the leadoff spot in the lineup.
