The New York Yankees face a compelling challenge as they navigate the aftermath of Juan Soto’s departure. While the trio of Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt, and Cody Bellinger headlines the roster, the team’s championship aspirations in 2025 will require significant contributions from their developing talent pool.
Veteran MLB analyst Joel Sherman recently identified three pivotal players whose development could define the Yankees’ season: Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Jasson Dominguez. Speaking on the Pinstripe Podcast, Sherman emphasized how these young talents, still playing under team-friendly contracts, possess the potential to transform the Yankees’ competitive outlook through enhanced offensive and defensive contributions.
“For the Yankees to step positively past Juan Soto—yeah, Cody Bellinger’s got to be good, Goldschmidt’s got to be good, Judge has got to stay healthy—but right there, if you were making a case, who’s Anthony Volpe? Who’s Austin Wells? Who’s Jasson Dominguez?” Sherman noted.
Performance benchmarks for success
Sherman outlined specific performance metrics that would signal success for this emerging core:
“Is it like 60 combined homers, 50 combined stolen bases, a .725 OPS, and good defense all around—Volpe at shortstop, Wells at catcher, and Domínguez in the outfield? Does that do it? I think it does. I think that, as a baseline, does it. That’s not asking for astronomical, Martian-level stuff. But we have real questions about who all three of those guys profile as offensively.”
Analyzing recent performance trends
The 2024 statistics reveal the gap between current production and Sherman’s proposed benchmarks:
- Austin Wells: .229 batting average, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs, 42 runs scored in 115 games.
Wells enters spring as the Yankees’ starting catcher after finishing 2024 as Jose Trevino’s backup. The 25-year-old started in the cleanup spot 39 times last season, finishing with a .760 OPS. However, fatigue caught up with him late in the year, evidenced by a 22 wRC+ in September. If he can maintain his endurance, Wells has the potential to emerge as one of baseball’s top backstops.
- Jasson Dominguez: .179 batting average, 2 home runs, 4 RBIs, 8 runs scored in just 18 games (missed most of the season due to injury).
Nicknamed “The Martian,” Domínguez switched from No. 89 to No. 24, last worn by Alex Verdugo. He’s set to open the 2025 season as the Yankees’ everyday left fielder, and given his talent level, he could be a strong contender for AL Rookie of the Year.
- Anthony Volpe: .243 batting average, 12 home runs, 60 RBIs in 160 games.
The 23-year-old’s approach at the plate remains a major storyline heading into 2025. His first two MLB seasons featured drastically different approaches, yet neither yielded consistent results. His strong postseason performance suggests he could unlock a more aggressive, power-focused style at the plate.
Their combined 27 home runs fall significantly short of Sherman’s 60-homer target. However, Domínguez’s anticipated return to full health in 2025 could help bridge this gap, potentially pushing their collective output into the 40-45 home run range—a substantial improvement, though still shy of the ultimate objective.
A review of Yankees spring firepower beyond Aaron Judge
With Juan Soto no longer at the top of their lineup, the big question remains: Can the New York Yankees maintain their offensive firepower in 2025? With spring training just around the corner, here’s an in-depth look at every hitter expected to be in Yankees camp in Tampa, Florida.
The veterans
Giancarlo Stanton: After a disastrous 2023, Stanton rebounded in 2024 but still dealt with injuries. He suffered a hamstring injury despite arriving at camp in peak physical condition. Yankees GM Brian Cashman has acknowledged that Stanton won’t be available every day due to his health history, but as long as he’s healthy for the postseason, he remains one of the best playoff performers in franchise history.
Paul Goldschmidt: The 2022 NL MVP had a rough 2024 season, recording a career-worst 100 wRC+. However, he still ranked in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit percentage, indicating he may have more left in the tank than his numbers suggest. The Yankees are banking on him bouncing back in 2025.
DJ LeMahieu: At 36, LeMahieu is the frontrunner for the Yankees’ Opening Day third base job. However, his production has declined sharply in recent years, raising questions about whether he’s the right man for the job.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Acquired at the trade deadline, Chisholm showcased his pull-heavy approach, registering a 48.5% pull rate. If he can improve his launch angle—after posting a career-high ground-ball rate in 2024—his 30-home-run potential could be fully realized. At just 27, he’s entering his prime and is poised for a breakout year.
Cody Bellinger: Owner Hal Steinbrenner believes Bellinger and Goldschmidt can make up for some of Juan Soto’s lost offensive production. While that remains to be seen, Bellinger’s high pull rate and Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch should work in his favor. The 29-year-old is expected to start in center field.
Trent Grisham: Grisham will serve as the Yankees’ fourth outfielder but could become a trade piece if the team decides to shed payroll. At 28, he remains a competent defender and serviceable bat for teams lacking playoff aspirations.
Oswaldo Cabrera: Cabrera will enter camp as a candidate for a starting infield spot, but his true value lies in his versatility. The soon-to-be 26-year-old is a reliable bench piece capable of playing nearly every position on the field.
The Baby Bombers
J.C. Escarra: The journey to this point has been nothing short of arduous for Escarra, who will turn 30 soon. Before 2024, he spent three years away from affiliated baseball, playing in independent and international leagues, including the Atlantic League, Puerto Rican Winter League, and Mexican Pacific Winter League. However, his offensive prowess has never been in doubt, and he recently claimed the LIDOM batting title, hitting .363 in the Dominican Winter League. Yankees officials are intrigued by his bat, but with Austin Wells already established as the team’s primary left-handed catcher, Escarra will have to fight for a backup role.
Rafael Flores: Flores has been one of the Yankees’ biggest prospect risers. The 24-year-old, who went undrafted, smashed 15 home runs in just 65 games for Double-A Somerset in 2024, finishing with an impressive 149 wRC+. His ability to also play first base makes him even more valuable, considering the Yankees’ long-term uncertainty at that position. If he continues to produce offensively, he could earn a promotion sooner rather than later.
Alex Jackson: Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in the trade that also brought reliever Fernando Cruz to the Yankees, Jackson is known more for his defense than his bat. The 29-year-old has struggled offensively in the majors, posting a .456 OPS in 302 career MLB at-bats.
Omar Martínez: Martínez had a solid 2024 campaign at High-A Hudson Valley, posting a 128 wRC+. At just 23 years old, he’s still a few years away from the majors, but his invitation to spring training indicates the Yankees see promise in his development.
Jesus Rodriguez: Rodriguez was protected from the Rule 5 draft in December, showcasing the Yankees’ belief in his potential. The 22-year-old is officially listed as a catcher but has played multiple infield positions outside of shortstop. If he proves capable behind the plate, his versatility could make him a valuable asset.
Roderick Arias: Once a surefire top-100 prospect, Arias fell off the radar after a disappointing 2024 campaign with Low-A Tampa. His 31% strikeout rate and 32% chase rate highlight his struggles at the plate, while his 22 errors at shortstop raised concerns about his defensive consistency. Still, at just 20 years old, there’s plenty of time for him to refine his game and reclaim his status as a premier prospect.
Conclusion: Balancing star power with emerging talent
The Yankees’ 2025 aspirations rest on a delicate balance between established stars and developing talent. While Judge, Goldschmidt, and Bellinger provide a formidable veteran foundation, the team’s ceiling may ultimately be determined by Volpe, Wells, and Domínguez’s ability to meet Sherman’s ambitious performance targets.
Achieving the proposed benchmarks of 60 combined home runs, 50 stolen bases, and strong defensive metrics would significantly offset Soto’s departure while establishing a sustainable competitive framework. Failure to reach these objectives would place additional pressure on the veteran core, potentially limiting the team’s championship potential.
As spring training approaches, the spotlight intensifies on this young trio, whose development could prove decisive in the Yankees’ pursuit of postseason success. Their ability to complement the established stars while fulfilling their individual potential may well determine whether the Yankees can maintain their championship aspirations in the post-Soto era.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
