Yankees fans are eager to see Jasson Dominguez hitting wonderful home runs as he did last year. There is also a window of opportunity for the team to drop struggling Trent Grisham and let The Martian amaze their fans.
Grisham’s dismal .051 average with just two hits in 39 at-bats over 20 games as a reserve outfielder and Dominguez’s impressive .333 average with four homers in his first 14 rehab games make this a possibility. However, the Yankees, who hold the American League’s best record, have a solid outfield lineup with MVP candidates Juan Soto in right field and Aaron Judge in left, Alex Verdugo contributing significantly in center, and Giancarlo Stanton having a resurgent season as the designated hitter. This may delay the return of Dominguez, who needs regular playing time, which he wouldn’t get in the Bronx.
Dominguez’s 20-day rehab assignment concluded Sunday, and rather than promoting him, the Yankees extended his rehab stint by another 10 days, reassigning him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. This decision comes despite the 21-year-old having only played 12 innings in the outfield during his rehab, being primarily utilized as a DH.
Last season, The Martian spent most of his time at Double-A before earning a late-season promotion to Triple-A in August, where he hit .419 in nine games. He made his MLB debut in September when the Yankees, out of playoff contention, focused on giving their prospects playing time.
While Dominguez showed he could handle MLB pitching, the combination of the Yankees‘ strong outfield and his ongoing rehab made keeping him in the minors the best choice for his development at this time.
Dominguez is Yankees’ future
The rookie has been touted as a future star since he signed out of the Dominican Republic for $5.1 million at just 16. He quickly showed his potential in his major league debut last September, homering off Justin Verlander in his first at-bat and finishing with a .258 average, four homers, and 10 RBIs in nine games. However, his season was cut short on September 10 due to right elbow discomfort, which was later diagnosed as a UCL tear, necessitating Tommy John surgery on September 20.
After a 7 1/2-month rehab, Dominguez resumed play with Tampa on May 14. Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented on Dominguez’s progress, stating that the rehab process had been smooth without significant setbacks. Boone noted Dominguez’s excellent physical condition and positive mindset, expressing satisfaction with his development.
Dominguez is now set to play regularly in center field for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, joining top prospect Everson Pereira in left field and veteran Oscar Gonzalez in right. Taylor Trammell and Greg Allen will serve as reserve outfielders. Dominguez’s move to Triple-A was facilitated by the placement of outfielder Brandon Lockridge on the 7-day injured list after an injury sustained while stealing a base.
The Yankees remain hopeful that Trent Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove outfielder, will start hitting as they continue to rely on his elite defensive skills. Despite high expectations following his acquisition from San Diego in the blockbuster trade for Juan Soto last December, Grisham has struggled significantly at the plate.
Grisham has managed just one home run this season, which came during a loss in Milwaukee on April 26. Since that game, he has gone 0-for-19 with 10 strikeouts and three walks. The 27-year-old, who was a regular for the Padres last season, batted only .198 but contributed 13 homers and 50 RBIs over 153 games. Over his career, Grisham has a .212 batting average with 62 home runs in 568 games with the Brewers (2019) and Padres (2020-23).
While the Yankees recognize Jasson Dominguez’s immense potential, they believe that keeping him in the minors for regular playtime is crucial for his development. Meanwhile, they are counting on Grisham to regain his form at the plate and provide valuable depth.
Boone confident top prospect will get a chance
Yankees manager Aaron Boone closely monitored the progress of top prospect Dominguez during his recent minor league rehab stint. Dominguez, an exciting 21-year-old outfielder, had his 2022 season cut short due to Tommy John surgery late last year.
After an impressive showing in 10 games with Double-A Somerset, where he blasted four home runs, drove in eight runs, and stole a base, Dominguez earned a promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Despite the Yankees’ star-studded outfield featuring players like Aaron Judge and newcomer Juan Soto, Boone hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Dominguez getting called up this season. In a recent interview with Jomboy Media’s Talkin’ Yanks, Boone praised the team’s top prospect.
Boone expressed his confidence in Dominguez’s potential, stating that the Yankees had a talented player developing in the minor leagues who Boone believed possessed the ability to thrive in Major League Baseball. Boone added his confidence that Dominguez would live up to that potential.
Boone acknowledged that despite the current abundance of talent in the outfield, Dominguez would likely be a top choice in the event of an injury. He noted Dominguez’s successful recovery from a serious injury, which had been advantageous for both the player and the team. Boone added that he was in excellent physical condition, and the Yankees anticipated opportunities for him to contribute in the near future.
Dominguez remains focused on his development in the minors, determined to reach his full potential in the majors. Boone is committed to ensuring that Dominguez blossoms into the player he envisions for the Yankees.
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