Ben Rice as backup backstop? Yankees drop early hint of roster shift
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Follow UsThe New York Yankees’ 2025 Spring Training has unveiled an unexpected development amid the attention surrounding their high-profile acquisitions. While the baseball world focuses on the arrivals of Paul Goldschmidt, Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger, and Max Fried, a subtle yet potentially significant roster experiment has emerged during the opening days in Tampa.
The organization raised eyebrows when Ben Rice joined the catching group for workouts, suggesting a possible positional adjustment for the young power hitter. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed this development, acknowledging Rice’s candidacy for the backup catcher position following Jose Trevino’s departure to Cincinnati.
“Ben Rice is working out with the catching group during this camp and is in the backup catcher mix,” Boone disclosed to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “They also want to keep his first base flexibility in play.”
With Austin Wells established as the primary catcher, the competition for the backup role has suddenly become more intriguing with Rice’s unexpected inclusion in the conversation.
Examining Rice’s positional transition
While Rice’s appearance among the catchers might surprise casual observers, this move actually represents a return to his roots within the Yankees’ system. Before establishing himself at first base, Rice accumulated significant experience behind the plate, recording 121 games as a catcher compared to 66 at first base throughout his minor league tenure.
Despite primarily manning first base during his 50-game major league introduction last season, the Yankees appear interested in expanding his defensive portfolio. Boone’s comments indicate the organization envisions a more versatile role for Rice moving forward. This strategic shift became apparent when team social media channels showcased Rice catching Luis Gil’s bullpen session on camp’s opening day. With Goldschmidt projected to command regular first base duties, Rice’s potential to serve in a dual capacity could significantly enhance his roster value.
Evaluating Yankees’ backup catcher competition
The Yankees’ catching situation gained additional complexity following Trevino’s offseason departure. While Wells has secured the starting position, several candidates vie for the backup role, with Rice’s emergence adding another layer to the competition.
Current backup options include:
- JC Escarra: A front-office favorite currently on the 40-man roster, who demonstrated promise in Triple-A but faces questions about major league hitting capability
- Alex Jackson: Recently acquired through the Trevino trade, offering defensive prowess but limited offensive production (.122 batting average with Tampa Bay)
- Carlos Narváez: Known for defensive acumen and baseball intelligence, though offensive contributions remain uncertain
Rice’s inclusion introduces a power-hitting dimension previously absent from the backup catcher conversation.
Rice’s offensive capabilities: A key consideration
While Rice’s defensive versatility attracts attention, his offensive potential remains central to his roster candidacy. Despite a modest .171 average across 152 major league at-bats last season, Rice demonstrated impressive power, highlighted by a memorable three-homer performance against Boston.
His batting profile exhibits several promising characteristics:
- Consistently high barrel percentage
- Superior walk rate
- Disciplined chase rate
- Left-handed power tailored for Yankee Stadium
Improved consistency could position Rice as an offensive upgrade over traditional defense-first backup options.
Strategic interpretation of Yankees’ approach
The organization’s experimentation with Rice potentially serves multiple strategic objectives:
- Roster Optimization: Rice’s catching capability could enable additional roster flexibility, potentially accommodating an extra reliever or specialized bat
- Injury Prevention Strategy: Provides insurance behind Wells without dedicating a roster spot to a traditional backup catcher
- Asset Development: Successfully demonstrating catching proficiency could enhance Rice’s trade value significantly
- Future Planning: Positions the organization advantageously regarding potential 2026 roster developments, including possible pursuit of Japanese star Munetaka Murakami.
Monitoring development progress
Rice’s defensive development behind the plate will face intense scrutiny throughout spring training. Demonstrating adequate catching skills could secure his position on the Opening Day roster in a hybrid role combining backup catching duties with first base responsibilities.
Boone’s public support for Rice’s positional flexibility suggests an organizational commitment to exploring this option fully. While Opening Day roster decisions remain pending, Rice’s consideration for the backup role indicates the Yankees’ willingness to pursue creative roster solutions.
Evaluating long-term impact
Though overshadowed by headline-grabbing offseason acquisitions, Rice’s potential position change might prove particularly significant for the Yankees‘ 2025 campaign. Successfully developing into a multi-position contributor would provide the organization with enhanced roster flexibility and offensive upside from the backup catcher position.
As spring training progresses, Rice’s development behind the plate emerges as one of the more fascinating subplots in Yankees camp. Whether this experiment yields a valuable roster asset or proves short-lived remains uncertain, but Rice’s spring training journey has undoubtedly become one of the more compelling narratives to monitor.
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- Categories: Austin Wells, Ben Rice, News, Paul Goldschmidt
- Tags: Austin Wells, Ben Rice, Paul Goldschmidt
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Um, a little fact-checking help please. Having it, you will notice that Carlos Narvaez is really not a “current option” for backup catcher, since he went to the Red Sox this offseason. Which might explain his absence in training camp this spring.