Boone admits Yankees’ Dominguez plan ‘very much in play’ but hinges on ‘tough decisions’
- September 3, 2024
- 7:26 am
- 2 Comments
Table of Contents
Follow UsThe Yankees have yet to finalize their decision to keep top prospect Jasson Dominguez in Triple-A following the September 1 roster expansion, according to manager Aaron Boone. Boone stated that a major league call-up for “The Martian” later this month is still on the table, despite the initial choice that disappointed fans.
Boone noted that Dominguez remains a strong candidate for promotion, though the timing of his call-up involves several factors. He acknowledged the rookie’s limited experience at the Triple-A level and his brief major league stint last season. However, the manager praised Dominguez’s talent, work ethic, and character while stopped short of committing to bringing him up.
“It’s still very much in play,” the Yankees skipper told reporters before the Yankees’ 8-4 win over the Rangers. “Just because it didn’t happen on Sept. 1 doesn’t mean it won’t at some point. … That involves some tough decisions there for a guy that hasn’t played a ton yet even at the Triple-A level, let alone a week at the big leagues last year. Frankly, there’s probably no one higher on Jasson Dominguez than me. I think he’s going to be a great player in this league. I love the makeup, I love the person. All I can say is he’s very much in the mix right now but we’re not ready to make that move yet.”
The Yankees’ current position is that Dominguez, just 21, needs regular playing time wherever he is assigned. His playing time this season has been restricted by his recovery from Tommy John surgery and an oblique strain, limiting him to 201 plate appearances across 47 games at Triple-A as of Monday.
While the Yankees see Dominguez’s potential at the big league level, they are hesitant to carve out a full-time role for him just yet. The most obvious opportunity would be to replace Alex Verdugo in left field. Although Verdugo’s offensive production has dipped, his defensive play has remained strong, with Boone even suggesting he should be in the Gold Glove conversation.
This careful balancing act underscores the Yankees’ approach to developing young talent while respecting the contributions of their current roster, reflecting their commitment to both the present and future of the team.
Manager Aaron Boone offered a candid evaluation of Dominguez’s defense in left field, describing it as satisfactory but noting there’s room for improvement. He praised Dominguez’s athleticism and reassured that his arm strength is not a concern, highlighting the outfielder’s physical tools.
“He’s been alright out there,” he told. “There’s room for improvement out there, no question, but he’s a real athlete in the middle of the diamond.”
Yankees’ Dominguez strategy needs room for maneuvers
The Yankees’ lineup for Monday night’s game against Texas may carry less weight than the one they’ll use for their first playoff game, whether in the wild card or division series. This context suggests that the team’s roster decisions warrant patience rather than immediate scrutiny.
The Yankees’ choice not to promote top prospect Jasson Dominguez when rosters expanded to 28 players on Sunday has raised questions. Instead, the team called up Duke Ellis, a 26-year-old baserunning specialist with minimal major league experience, as their additional position player.
However, this move doesn’t necessarily close the door on Dominguez’s immediate future. The Yankees still have the option to promote him at any time. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Dominguez was under consideration for a call-up and remains a significant part of ongoing discussions within the organization.
Boone noted that when Dominguez eventually joins the big-league roster, the plan would be for him to play regularly, indicating that the team is carefully weighing the right moment and setting for his debut.
If Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman are truly committed to having Dominguez in the lineup daily, they have the power to make it happen. Currently, they seem to prefer Alex Verdugo as their everyday left fielder, despite his recent struggles at the plate.
The unanswered question remains whether the Yankees are sticking with Verdugo because they see him as a crucial component for their playoff run, or if they believe Dominguez needs more time at Triple-A to develop before he’s ready for the pressures of the majors.
This scenario underscores the delicate balance teams face when managing immediate needs alongside long-term player development, especially as they gear up for the critical final stretch of the season and potential postseason contention.
Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez continues his road to recovery after an oblique injury that sidelined him for about a month earlier this season. Dominguez’s playing time at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has been limited, totaling just 151 at-bats, including a recent 0-for-4 outing. Overall, he has logged only 201 at-bats in the minors this year, but with three weeks left in the Triple-A schedule, there’s still time for him to gain more reps.
Manager Aaron Boone noted Dominguez’s recent progress, highlighting the strides the young outfielder has made since returning from his injury. Boone emphasized the importance of regular playing time for Dominguez at this stage while keeping the door open for a potential call-up depending on how things unfold.
The Yankees have a history of giving their prospects chances at the major league level, making it unlikely that Dominguez remains in Triple-A simply to favor a veteran like Alex Verdugo. At 28, Verdugo is in his sixth full MLB season, and while it might be tempting to lean on experience, Boone’s decision appears rooted in Dominguez’s development rather than deferring to a veteran presence.
Boone has consistently praised Verdugo’s defense throughout the season, though observationally and statistically, Verdugo’s performance hasn’t always matched the manager’s assessment. Despite a defensive misstep in Sunday’s loss, it was overshadowed by other blunders, including an errant throw by Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera that struck pitcher John King during a steal attempt by Jazz Chisholm in the sixth inning.
Ultimately, the success of the Yankees’ season will be judged by their performance in October. Fielding the strongest possible lineup is crucial as they gear up for a postseason push. In this context, it seems likely that the Yankees will seriously consider giving top prospect Jasson Dominguez a chance to prove himself and potentially make the playoff roster, recognizing the impact he could bring during the most important stretch of the year.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
- Categories: alex verdugo, jasson dominguez
- Tags: alex verdugo, jasson dominguez
Related posts:
Stop messing with this kid already. Everyone and their mother know this kid can out hit all the junk they keep bringing up. This kid has all the making of a star, much like Soto. Enough of screwing with BS rules that only harms these players like they did with Joba. On any other team he would be playing MLB a long time ago.
Stay with Virdugo, let Dominguez finish
Triple A then bring him up to play. He is
not better than Virdugo defensively and
needs more at bats at AAA.