Brian Cashman’s excellent world contains the Martian.
With not less than one emptiness within the Yankees’ outfield, Cashman hopes prime prospect Jasson Domínguez can break by way of in 2025.
“I know I’d like to see Domínguez get his shot,” Cashman mentioned Wednesday. “Now, he’s young. That means he’s gonna have to earn it, he’s gonna have to retain it, all that stuff. That’s all fair play, but let’s see how things play out, what gets presented.”
The Yankees’ roster stays a piece in progress, however final yr’s beginning left fielder, Alex Verdugo, is a free agent. Aaron Decide, in the meantime, is anticipated to maneuver again to proper discipline following Juan Soto’s departure for the Mets, creating a possible opening in heart discipline, too.
A kind of outfield spots might go to Cody Bellinger, whom the Yankees acquired in a commerce with the Chicago Cubs this week, however Bellinger can be a superb defender at first base, the place final yr’s starter, Anthony Rizzo, is a free agent as effectively.
And that’s the place Domínguez is available in.
Domínguez’s main place is heart discipline, however the Yankees known as him up in September and tried him in left discipline.
The rookie struggled on the place, committing a number of defensive misplays throughout that late-season audition, which prompted supervisor Aaron Boone to roll with Verdugo as his beginning left fielder all through the Yankees’ playoff run.
Domínguez, who turns 22 in February, has regarded extra comfy as a middle fielder than he has in left.
Whereas Bellinger’s expertise in heart discipline (509 video games) is far vaster than it’s in left (41), he expressed a willingness Thursday to play both place. Bellinger received a Gold Glove in 2019 without any consideration fielder.
Nicknamed “the Martian” for his out-of-this-world skillset, the switch-hitting Domínguez flashed offensively throughout a short callup in September 2023. He hit 4 dwelling runs in eight video games earlier than an elbow tear required season-ending surgical procedure.
Domínguez returned to motion in Could within the minor leagues however suffered an indirect damage in June, costing him one other six weeks.
He completed the 2024 season with a .314 common, 11 dwelling runs and an .880 OPS in 226 minor-league at-bats however hit simply .179 with two homers and a .617 OPS in 56 at-bats with the Yankees.
“I continue to be super excited about Jasson’s future,” Boone mentioned final month. “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.”
On Wednesday, Cashman made it clear that the Yankees wouldn’t take into account Domínguez for a bench function.
“He’s gonna play every day,” Cashman mentioned, “whether it’s on the major-league side or the minor-league side.”
