Jasson Domínguez did not receive much playing time during the Yankees’ World Series run, but the 21-year-old phenom believes the experience was valuable nonetheless.
“It was wonderful,” Domínguez told the Daily News after Wednesday’s season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series.
“Just being here with the boys and seeing how the games are in the postseason, how the games go, I think it’s going to be really helpful for me in the future.”
Domínguez made the Yankees’ 26-man rosters for the ALDS, ALCS and World Series but did not receive an at-bat. He appeared in two games in the ALCS and another in the World Series, each time as a pinch runner, and scored one run.
The playoffs capped a roller-coaster year for Domínguez, the Yankees’ top prospect, who made his season debut at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in mid-May after undergoing elbow surgery last September. An oblique injury cost him another six weeks over the summer.
The Yankees activated Domínguez as their 27th man for the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa., in August, then brought him up for good in September.
Nicknamed “The Martian” for his out-of-this-world skill set, Domínguez batted .179 with two home runs and four RBI in 56 at-bats in the majors this season and committed multiple defense misplays in left field.
But going into the playoffs, the Yankees weighed whether to prioritize Domínguez’s offensive potential or Alex Verdugo’s strong defense in left field. They ultimately went with Verdugo, who started each of the Yankees’ 14 playoff games.
“This offseason, I’m going to get better at my defense in left field,” Domínguez told The News. “I’m going to take more reps in left field.”
Uncertainty surrounds the Yankees’ outfield going into the offseason with Verdugo and Juan Soto both set to be free agents.
The Dominican-born Domínguez said his goal is to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.
“He’s an important part of that room, and we know his future is incredibly bright,” manager Aaron Boone said before Game 4 of the World Series. “So hopefully the experience that he’s gained being around and being in this environment and having to prepare every day, hopefully that’s one of those ingredients that serve him well moving forward.”
The Yankees inked a 16-year-old Domínguez to a franchise-record $5.1 million signing bonus in 2019.
He exploded onto the scene in September 2023, hitting four home runs in his first eight major-league games before being diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.
Upon returning from surgery, Domínguez hit .314 with 11 home runs, 35 stolen bases and 16 stolen bases in 226 at-bats in the minors in this season.
“A lot of ups and downs, but at the end of the day, I think it was a good season,” Domínguez said. “I got to be in the postseason and the World Series. What more can I ask for?”
