Ben Rice’s hardest-hit homer yet powers Yankees’ 9-3 win over Astros

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Ben Rice made a statement in the Yankees’ 9-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field, launching a solo home run with an exit velocity of 113.3 mph—the hardest-hit ball of his professional career. It was a moment that showcased the kind of power that could make him a legitimate weapon for the Yankees this season.

The blast came a day after top prospect Spencer Jones praised his power, suggesting he could be a cornerstone of the Yankees’ future. Rice’s towering shot only added to the growing excitement around the young talent in camp, raising questions about his potential impact in 2025.

Judge returns, Yankees roll

Aaron Judge made his long-awaited spring debut and immediately contributed, driving in two runs to help the Yankees secure the victory. It was his first game action since Game 5 of the World Series, and despite a strikeout in his first at-bat, he delivered in the third inning. With runners on second and third, Judge lined a high fastball from lefty Bennett Sousa into left field, giving the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

Judge finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs, showing no signs of rust after his extended offseason rest. Manager Aaron Boone had prioritized giving the Yankees’ captain a lighter workload this spring, and the early returns suggest that the approach is paying off.

DJ LeMahieu also made his spring debut but struggled, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The veteran infielder, who is fighting for the starting third base job, has a lot to prove after an injury-plagued 2024 season.

Yankees’ young talent impresses

Rice wasn’t the only young slugger to go deep. Third base prospect George Lombard Jr. launched a 414-foot home run in the third inning, giving Yankees fans another glimpse of the future. Lombard Jr., just 19 years old, is still a few years away from the majors, but his performance continues to validate his standing as one of the Yankees’ top prospects.

Meanwhile, the Yankees got solid work from their bullpen. Yerry De Los Santos was dominant, striking out one over 1.2 perfect innings, while Yoendrys Gomez allowed only a walk in 0.2 innings. With injuries to key relievers like Jake Cousins and Jonathan Loáisiga, the Yankees are looking for reliable arms, and both De Los Santos and Gomez made their cases.

What’s next for Ben Rice?

At the All-Star break in 2024, Ben Rice looked like a breakout star for the Yankees. He posted a .228/.315/.494 slash line with six home runs in his first 12 games, including a three-homer game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park and a go-ahead blast against Baltimore at Camden Yards. However, his lack of Triple-A experience caught up to him, and he struggled in the latter half of the season, finishing with a .171 batting average over 50 games.

Despite those struggles, there were plenty of reasons for optimism. His Statcast numbers were impressive, with a 15.6% barrel rate comparable to Kyle Schwarber’s and a .459 expected slugging percentage similar to Pete Alonso’s. While he didn’t produce consistently at the major league level, his raw power is undeniable.

This spring, Rice faces an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster. The Yankees signed Paul Goldschmidt to take over at first base, and Austin Wells is expected to be the primary backup catcher. If Rice is going to break camp with the big-league club, he’ll likely need an injury to open up a spot—perhaps Giancarlo Stanton’s ongoing elbow issues could create an opportunity at DH.

For now, the plan appears to be for Rice to start the season in Triple-A Scranton, where he can continue developing as a catcher-first baseman hybrid. However, if he continues crushing the ball the way he did on Saturday, he might force the Yankees to reconsider.

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