From 2023 to now: How Dominguez symbolizes Yankees’ latino talent boom

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The New York Yankees are set to kick off their 2025 spring training this Friday, and all eyes are on Jasson Dominguez. The Dominican outfielder isn’t just getting the start in the opener against the Tampa Bay Rays—he’s also a symbol of the Yankees’ deepening connection with Latin American talent. Over the past three years, the team has increased its Latin American representation by 50%, reflecting a significant shift in the roster’s composition.

A growing Latin American presence in the Bronx

More than that, Jasson Dominguez is now viewed as the most important prospect in the Yankees’ system, according to Baseball America, which ranked him No. 28 in its latest rankings.

The former top international prospect has played just 26 Major League games, his debut season cut short by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Even so, he has held the title of the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect for most of the past two years.

Ironically, Jasson Dominguez is also the most hyped Latino name on the roster, hailing from a region that searches for the Yankees more than the U.S. itself. If he delivers at the big-league level, it could be a game-changer—further validating why the number of Latinos in the Yankees’ organization has grown significantly since 2023.

Over the past three years, the Yankees have steadily increased their Latin American-born players on the Opening Day roster:

• 2023: 8 players (30.8% of the roster)
• 2024: 11 players (42.3%)
• 2025: 12 players (46.2%)

That’s a 50% increase since 2023. But what makes this shift even more striking is that the Yankees lost key Latin players like Juan Soto, Oswald Peraza, Nestor Cortes, and Alex Verdugo this offseason. Even with those departures, the roster’s Latin influence continues to grow, proving the Yankees’ commitment to scouting and developing international talent.

Jasson Dominguez is at the center of the Yankees’ international pipeline, and the numbers back it up. The Dominican Republic remains a top talent source, producing stars like Domínguez, while Venezuela has expanded its MLB presence, jumping from three players in 2023 to five in 2025. Puerto Rico and Nicaragua have also maintained steady representation, reinforcing their impact on the Yankees’ roster.

This tracks with a broader MLB trend—Latin American players now make up nearly 30% of the league. Every team has a scouting academy in the Dominican Republic, and the Yankees have been one of the most aggressive in developing international talent.

Google Analytics data reinforces the Yankees’ global reach. Among the countries that search for the team the most, Puerto Rico leads, followed by Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic—Jasson Domínguez’s homeland. Surprisingly, the U.S. ranks only third, ahead of just Panama and the Dominican Republic. It’s a striking indicator of the Yankees’ immense popularity in Latin America, where interest in the team surpasses even that of their home country.

Dominguez’s time to shine

Jasson Dominguez has been on a rollercoaster ride since arriving in the majors. When he debuted in September 2023, he set the baseball world on fire, launching four home runs in his first eight games—including one off Justin Verlander. But just as Yankees fans were getting excited, an elbow injury led to surgery, cutting his season short.

By the time he returned in 2024, Domínguez struggled at the plate, hitting just .179 in 18 games. With Alex Verdugo taking over left field in the playoffs, Domínguez had to watch from the sidelines. Now, with a new season ahead, he’s determined to make the most of his second chance.

He’s spent the offseason sharpening his game—improving his reads in left field and fine-tuning his right-handed swing, an area he admitted felt “a little bit lost” last year. In a recent live batting practice session against Carlos Rodon, Dominguez struck out in his first at-bat but responded with a towering home run in his second—a glimpse of what he hopes is a breakout campaign.

Manager Aaron Boone has confirmed that Dominguez will be in the lineup for Friday’s opener, sharing the field with Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Paul Goldschmidt, and Cody Bellinger. It’s a chance for the Yankees to test out their new-look roster and for Domínguez to prove he belongs in the everyday lineup.

With Juan Soto gone, there’s a clear opening in the outfield. If Dominguez can step up, he could solidify himself as a key piece of the Yankees’ future.

Learning from the best

Dominguez’s locker sits between Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger—two former MVPs who know a thing or two about handling the pressure of New York. They’ve already taken the young outfielder under their wing.

“This is going to be your year,” Judge and Bellinger told him. “We’re going to be on him, try to be a good resource, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

Judge, who understands the weight of expectations in the Bronx, is confident Dominguez has what it takes. “The sky’s the limit for him,” Judge said.

Boone echoed that confidence. “Ultimately, there’s a lane there for him to take, and we know he’s got the talent to take it,” Boone said. “I like the work he’s putting in so far, and I’m hoping and expecting he’s a big part of things this year.”

As the Yankees gear up for 2025, Dominguez isn’t just playing for a roster spot—he’s playing to establish himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. His journey from highly touted prospect to major league contributor embodies the Yankees’ international scouting success.

Even after losing several Latin stars, the Yankees continue to lean on their deep talent pool. Dominguez is the latest in a long line of international prospects looking to make a lasting impact in pinstripes.

Friday’s game is just the beginning, but it’s a big moment for Domínguez—and for the evolving identity of the Yankees. If all goes well, this could be the year “The Martian” finally takes flight in the Bronx.

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