After two September auditions in 2023 and 2024, Jasson Domínguez could find himself in a solidified supporting role in 2025.
Earlier this week, Aaron Bone said that he expects the Yankees’ top prospect to play a “big part” next season. It’s not clear exactly what that will look like given the current uncertainty in the team’s outfield, but it sounds like The Martian will get more than just another cup of coffee.
“I continue to be super excited about Jasson’s future,” Boone said. “I’m in that camp of people that think he’s going to be a great big league player. I love his makeup, I love his talent, and so I do expect him to be a big part of things moving forward. Always though as a young player, you’re working to earn those things and earn those opportunities. But I fully expect him to be a big part of what we do this coming year.”
Domínguez, 21, made a jaw-dropping impression after being called up in September of 2023, hitting four home runs in his first eight major league games. The good vibes quickly ended, though, as Domínguez tore his UCL and required surgery.
Shortly after returning from that injury last season, Domínguez then suffered an oblique strain while playing at Triple-A. Because of the two injuries, he only played in 58 minor league games last year.
Still, Domínguez received another September promotion with left fielder Alex Verdugo struggling at the plate. Domínguez is a center fielder by trade, but the Yankees wanted to see if he could handle left and add some offensive firepower before the postseason.
Instead, Domínguez proved to be a defensive liability in left, and he hit just .179 with two homers and four RBI over 18 big league games. While he made the Yankees’ postseason rosters, he was only used as a pinch-runner.
Verdugo, meanwhile, started throughout the playoffs.
Now Verdugo is a free agent. So is right fielder Juan Soto, leaving the Yankees with two potential holes to fill in the outfield.
With the Yankees determined to re-sign Soto and Verdugo a likely goner, could Domínguez fill one of them?
“We’re gonna see what’s in front of us,” Brian Cashman recently said when asked if the Yankees need two outfielders and if Domínguez will be ready to start on Opening Day. “We’re gonna evaluate all opportunities and then make decisions.
“Obviously, Domínguez missed a lot of time this past year. We’re happy that he’s here with us. He’s in a position to potentially take a spot, but we have to compare that to what else is available to us too.”
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Yankees brought in another outfielder who can hit from the right side for a potential platoon with Domínguez. While Domínguez is a switch-hitter, he hardly had any success against lefties in the minors and majors last season.
Where Domínguez would play is also contingent on what the Yankees do this winter.
If Soto leaves and the Yankees don’t add another right fielder, Aaron Judge could return to right. That would open center up for Domínguez.
If Soto returns, the Yankees may also want some cheaper players scattered throughout their starting lineup. That could lead to Domínguez playing left, a position he didn’t handle very well last year.
While Domínguez didn’t look sharp in left, Boone believes his defense could improve with more reps there.
“Whether that’s center or left kind of remains to be seen,” the manager said of Domínguez’s role. “It depends how our offseason shakes out. You never know what our roster looks like going into spring training, but I certainly feel like he has that versatility to do either one.”
