For the second consecutive night, the Somerset Patriots beat the Akron RubberDucks securing a 2-0 victory at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio. Left fielder Jasson Dominguez had an impressive performance, going 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs, 2 doubles, and 2 strikeouts.
The Yankees’ top prospect became the game-changer in the ninth inning, breaking the scoreless tie with a clutch two-out double that drove in two runs, ultimately leading the Patriots to their 2-0 victory.
Jasson Dominguez’s 24th multi-hit game
Somerset celebrated their ninth shutout victory of the season, achieving back-to-back shutouts against the RubberDucks. Jasson Dominguez had an exceptional outing, recording his team-leading 24th multi-hit game and securing his fourth three-hit game of the season.
Out of the four three-hit games that Jasson Dominguez has achieved, three occurred in the last nine games. In this recent stretch, the Martian displayed impressive form, going 15-for-39 with a .385 batting average, a .455 on-base percentage, and a .487 slugging percentage. Moreover, he contributed significantly with 9 RBI, 5 walks, and 4 stolen bases. Since July 7, Jasson Dominguez has been a standout performer in the Eastern League, ranking second in hits (33), third in batting average (.351), third in RBI (18), fourth in total bases (46), and sixth in on-base percentage (.425).
The Yankees No. 1 prospect is currently just one RBI away from taking the top spot on the team with 55 runs batted in.
The early season concerns
Jasson Dominguez, the Dominican outfielder, raised concerns for the Yankees during the early part of their Double-A season due to his underwhelming performance, despite his impressive showing during the 2023 Major League Spring Training.
During Spring Training, Jasson Dominguez showcased an outstanding offensive performance with a .455/.520/.1.506 batting line, scoring 8 runs, recording 10 hits, including 1 double and 4 home runs, while striking out only 3 times and stealing 1 base in 11 games. Despite not making the opening-day team for technical reasons, the Yankees’ top prospect left a strong and positive impression during his first experience in spring baseball.
Following an impressive showing in Spring Training, the anticipation surrounding the Dominican prospect’s performance was immense as he entered his third season in the Minor Leagues in 2023. However, April and May proved to be disappointing months for him, raising some concerns within the organization.
Before the matchup against the New Hampshire River Cats, Jasson Dominguez struggled at the plate, recording just one hit in 19 at-bats and tallying 12 strikeouts.
Nonetheless, Somerset Patriots hitting coach Jake Hirst identified the reason behind Jasson Dominguez’s struggles. He noticed that opposing teams have been employing different strategies against the Yankees prospect this year, a factor that could aid in his growth as a more adaptable and prepared player in the future.
Hirst highlighted Jasson Dominguez’s impressive capacity to adjust and handle diverse game situations, taking note of how he navigates through the strategies used by opposing teams and pitchers. Additionally, Hirst praised the Yankees prospect for his composed demeanor during this learning process, considering it a valuable aspect of the young player’s approach.
Jasson Dominguez and Hirst collaborated on identifying specific areas for improvement to aid him in getting back on track. Hirst pointed out a significant enhancement in the prospect’s awareness of the strike zone and emphasized the importance of a more assertive approach against “get-me-over” breaking balls, while also advocating for increased selectivity against high fastballs or breaking balls directed at the back foot.
The rebound of the Martian
While facing ups and downs in his hitting performance, Jasson Dominguez has demonstrated crucial consistency in other aspects of his game, contributing significantly to his progress and advancement.
Since the start of June, everything has changed for Jasson Dominguez. In that month, he tallied only 2 home runs but boasted an impressive .319 batting average, along with 10 stolen bases and 14 RBIs. Additionally, he recorded 11 games with two hits or more during that period.
Hirst highlights that the most remarkable aspect of Jasson Dominguez’s game is not just his evident skill set but also the exceptional consistency he displays at such a young age.
According to Hirst, one notable characteristic of Jasson Dominguez is his unwavering consistency in his approach, whether he’s excelling on the field or encountering obstacles. He maintains the same attitude and demeanor in the batting cage and clubhouse each day, exuding a relaxed and joyful personality while also aiming to bring positive energy to the team.
Regarded as the top prospect in the Yankees organization by MLB Pipeline, he has posted a stat line of .235/.358/.377 with 65 runs, 86 hits, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 12 home runs, 55 RBI, and 71 walks across 96 games played at the Double-A level in 2023.
Recently, Jasson Dominguez has achieved four games with three hits, and impressively, three of these remarkable performances occurred within his last nine games. Over this period, he has been in outstanding form, batting 15-for-39, boasting an impressive slash line of .385/.455/.487, while also contributing 9 RBI, 5 walks, and 4 stolen bases. Since July 7, Jasson Dominguez has been among the top performers in the Eastern League, ranking second in hits with 33, third in batting average with .351, fourth in total bases with 46, and sixth in on-base percentage with .425.
On July 27, 29, and 30, he managed to secure three hits in each of those games. During his time in the minor leagues, Jasson Dominguez has encountered a blend of successes and obstacles, revealing glimpses of his promising talents while also underlining the significant room for growth and development that lies ahead for him.
The Yankees and their fans are eagerly looking forward to Jasson Dominguez’s potential due to his remarkable five-tool skills.
At just 20 years old, Jasson Dominguez displayed exceptional performance during spring training, putting himself in contention for a potential call-up and the opportunity to join the Yankees’ outfield later this season.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
If the Yankees elect not to re-sign Bader, then the club needs to give Dominguez a shot. Also Everson Pereira as well.