The New York Yankees’ decision to shift promising young slugger Jasson Dominguez to left field has sparked debate among fans and analysts. Now, broadcaster Michael Kay has uncovered a surprising explanation: previous injuries have significantly hampered Dominguez’s defensive development regardless of outfield position.
Kay initially questioned the Yankees’ outfield alignment on his ESPN New York radio show, wondering why the team would move Dominguez from his natural center field position to accommodate Trent Grisham. After consulting with scouts familiar with Dominguez’s minor league career, Kay received an eye-opening response.
“I spoke to somebody who actually covered him in the minor leagues,” Kay revealed. “The answer shocked me. He said to me, ‘Are you an idiot?’ And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ ‘He can’t play center either… what you see in left, it’s the same thing you’re going to see in center.'”
According to Kay’s sources, injuries early in Dominguez’s professional career prevented him from accumulating the necessary repetitions to develop proper fielding fundamentals. These developmental setbacks have become increasingly apparent during spring training, where the 22-year-old has struggled with route efficiency and ball tracking in the outfield.
Dominguez’s spring struggles continue
Dominguez’s defensive limitations have been on display throughout the Grapefruit League schedule. In recent games against the Phillies and Tigers, he took poor routes and misjudged fly balls that resulted in extra-base hits. His discomfort in left field has been noticeable to observers, raising concerns about his readiness for an everyday role.
Meanwhile, Grisham continues to demonstrate elite defensive capabilities in center field despite his offensive shortcomings. The 28-year-old has posted a disappointing 84 OPS+ over the past three seasons but remains valuable for his glove work.
At the plate, Dominguez is batting just .174 (4-for-23) with one home run, one walk, and six strikeouts through eight spring games. While the sample size remains small, these numbers reflect a player still finding his rhythm after missing significant development time.
Cashman urges patience
Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman remains steadfast in his support for Dominguez, emphasizing that spring training is a time for growth and development.
“He hasn’t played a lot of left,” Cashman said before Dominguez’s start against the Twins. “My impressions are that he’s gonna get the reps he needs to secure that spot.”
The Yankees have enlisted franchise legend Bernie Williams to work with Dominguez on his outfield skills. Williams, who won four Gold Gloves during his career with New York, has been seen regularly consulting with the young outfielder during practice sessions.
“Don’t judge too much early in the camp with any of these guys,” Cashman added. “The last three weeks [of spring], you hone in on what’s real and make decisions.”
Ynakee path forward
Despite the defensive concerns, the Yankees appear committed to their current outfield configuration with Cody Bellinger in center, Aaron Judge in right, and Dominguez in left. Manager Aaron Boone has indicated that Dominguez could slot into the seventh spot in the batting order, suggesting confidence in his offensive potential regardless of defensive limitations.
Dominguez did gain some experience in left field last season, making 12 starts at the major league level after playing 47 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023. The Yankees are banking on this experience, combined with additional spring training reps, to accelerate his development.
“There’s a lane for him to take it and I’d love for him to take the opportunity,” Cashman said. “We’re letting this thing play out and we’ll see who stays healthy and earns a spot.”
Balancing player development with competitive needs for a Yankees team with championship aspirations presents a complex challenge. How they navigate Dominguez’s defensive limitations could significantly impact their 2025 campaign.
As Opening Day approaches, the organization faces a crucial decision: continue developing Dominguez at the major league level or allow him more time to refine his skills in Triple-A. With less than three weeks until the season begins, time is running short for the once-heralded prospect to prove he belongs.
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