The New York Yankees find themselves in a unique position as they battle to secure their spot in the playoffs. With the approaching August 1 MLB trade deadline, they are expected to actively seek acquisitions, but they appear reluctant to relinquish some of their prized prospects in the process.
As per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, the New York Yankees are reportedly gearing up to make additions before the deadline. However, they seem hesitant to part ways with key prospects like Jasson Dominguez and Everson Pereira.
Jasson Dominguez, a 20-year-old outfielder, holds the prestigious title of being the New York Yankees‘ number one prospect, as acknowledged by MLB.com. He also stands as the 40th overall prospect in all of baseball. Currently playing for Double-A Somerset, Domínguez’s performance boasts a .217 batting average along with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, 63 runs scored, 26 stolen bases, and an impressive .712 OPS across 87 games.
In its comprehensive scouting report, MLB.com pointed out the following observations about the player:
It was mentioned that Jasson Domínguez, touted as one of the most hyped international prospects in history, was likened to baseball legends Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle, and Mike Trout even before securing a $5.1 million contract from the Dominican Republic. Due to his extraordinary skills, he earned the moniker ‘The Martian.’ Although living up to such sky-high expectations might be challenging, it was suggested that he is progressing well and has the potential to become, at the very least, a dependable and consistent player in the future.
Everson Pereira, aged 22, stands as the Yankees’ fourth-ranked prospect, though he has not secured a spot in MLB.com’s top 100 list. Throughout this season, in a total of 61 games spread across Double-A and Triple-A, Pereira’s performance has been noteworthy, boasting a .300 batting average, along with 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, 37 runs scored, seven stolen bases, and an impressive .916 WHIP.
According to observations made by MLB.com:
It was observed that when Everson Pereira entered the professional scene, he was initially projected as a potentially above-average hitter with moderate power. However, as he developed and gained significant muscle, his hitting profile underwent a reversal. He now focuses more on hunting home runs, adjusting his right-handed swing to add more loft, and displaying an ability to hit the ball with greater force compared to other Yankees prospects. Nevertheless, his aggressive approach has also led to an increase in strikeouts.
In their pursuit of securing a postseason spot, the New York Yankees are reportedly in need of assistance in the outfield and possibly the bullpen. According to Hoch’s reports, there have been links connecting the Yankees to players such as Cody Bellinger from the Cubs, Dylan Carlson from the Cardinals, and Randal Grichuk from the Rockies.
Considering Cody Bellinger as a short-term rental, it is expected that acquiring him would demand the Yankees trade away at least one high-profile prospect. Despite being 54-48 in their current standing, the Yankees find themselves trailing the Baltimore Orioles by eight games in the AL East. Nevertheless, their proximity to the final Wild Card spot, just 2.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays, presents a strong case for making a significant move.
However, the likelihood of the Yankees parting with prospects of the caliber of Domínguez or Pereira appears to be relatively low.
Jasson Dominguez on a roll to the delight of Yankees
Thursday saw Jasson Dominguez shine for Somerset as he secured three hits in the game. His performance showcased a remarkable 3-for-5 record, including an RBI, a strikeout (K), and a stolen base (SB) marking his 27th of the season. As a result of this standout game, Dominguez has reached his season-high batting average of .223, which owes much to his first three-hit game since May 16th. Notably, his exceptional July record stands at 26 hits out of 84 at-bats, boasting an impressive .310 batting average for the month.
Jasson Dominguez has shown consistent progress within the organization and currently plays as both a center fielder and left fielder for Somerset. As of July 20 in the 2023 season, his stat line stands at .216/.351/.374, resulting in a solid .725 OPS. While he has recorded 12 home runs and 45 RBI, his power seems to have slightly diminished compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, Dominguez remains a highly promising Yankees prospect, as evidenced by his remarkable performance in recent games, securing multiple hits in his last three outings and boasting an impressive .357 batting average throughout July. Notably, he has accumulated a total of 21 multi-hit games so far in the season.
Pereira bounces back to impress Yankees
On June 23, Pereira overcame whatever was troubling him, making a triumphant return to the game by smashing a home run against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Following this impressive performance, the 22-year-old received a promotion to Triple-A just in time for July 4. Since stepping up to this higher level, Pereira’s performance has been nothing short of explosive, igniting like a firecracker on the field.
Pereira’s one potential drawback lies in being a right-handed hitter. However, should he manage to effectively transfer his skills to the MLB level, and do so in a timely manner, the Yankees would have no qualms about it. Even if Pereira remains right-handed, the team believes they can compensate for lineup balance in other ways. If he continues to unleash his impressive hitting power with 455-foot thunderclaps, Pereira’s contributions could serve as a much-needed spark to rejuvenate the team’s lineup, which is eager for an infusion of talent.
Ever since his promotion, Pereira’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable, with an astonishing .345/.397/.603 batting average and a phenomenal 1.000 OPS. He has managed to hit four home runs and drive in 17 runs, showcasing his undeniable talent and consistency. It’s important to note that this outstanding display is not merely a result of a small-sample-size fluke; it aligns perfectly with his impressive track record during the spring, where he boasted a .907 OPS and belted 10 home runs in just 46 Double-A games. Pereira’s quick adjustment to the higher level of play is a testament to his skills and potential.
According to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, Pereira holds the fourth spot on the Yankees’ Top 30 prospects list. Interestingly, both Pereira and Jasson Dominguez share a similar estimated time of arrival (ETA) in 2024. The potential downside lies in the Yankees potentially misjudging their upper-minors outfield depth, leading them to forego acquiring a starting left fielder through free agency once again.
However, as long as the team avoids this scenario, the combination of Pereira’s development and Dominguez’s recent impressive performance appears to be a winning formula for the farm system. This dynamic duo could be just what the Yankees need to overcome the offensive slump they have faced in recent years.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
I think they should trade one of these 2 players for Cody Bellinger. He’s a former MVP, a rookie of the year, a 2 time Allstar, a gold glove winner and an NLCS MVP. He can play left field but can also play centerfield and he’s a left handed bat. He hits for power. He’s just 28 years old. If you let Bader walk who is accident prone we’d have a centerfielder. Also his dad played for the yankees so he couId handle the pressure.
Thank God you are not the GM. 1 mid and one low is all they should trade for him. SHORT TERM RENTAL.