Jasson Domínguez didn’t precisely quiet considerations about his left area protection when he misplayed a couple of balls early this spring, however it’s been comparatively easy crusing since then.
“Compared to the start of spring training, I definitely feel more comfortable,” the 22-year-old stated earlier than camp ended.
“I saw, obviously, that they didn’t bring [in] another left fielder,” Domínguez stated. “But in my mind, even if they did bring in another left fielder, I knew that I needed to work on that and get better.”
That work has concerned numerous time spent with Luis Rojas, the Yankees’ outfield coach. Domínguez stated the 2 work on “everything that you can think of.” That included route-specific drills and monitoring balls off fungoes and machines throughout spring coaching.
“We all know he’s got great tools, and we really, really think that he’s gonna be successful,” Rojas stated earlier within the spring after Domínguez had a tough day in left.
Weeks later, Domínguez is just not the one one inspired by his progress.
“I’ve really been excited about his routes,” Aaron Boone stated. “They have been really good. He’s gotten to some balls that not a lot of people get to. Even a couple plays he hasn’t made, go back and look at them, they’re low-percentage plays that most people don’t even get there. He’s doing a really good job with that.”
Boone additionally stated that he favored the best way Domínguez swung the bat towards the tip of the spring. He ended exhibition play with a .258/.292/.452 slash line, three residence runs and 12 RBI.
If Domínguez’s bat lives as much as the hype, his protection will turn into an afterthought within the Bronx. That’s no assure given the immense expectations which were positioned on the rookie since he was a teen, however Domínguez appears to be dealing with all of the noise effectively as he braces for his first prolonged shot at being a giant league starter.
“He’s comfortable in his skin,” Boone stated. “Through a couple of mistakes last year, he owns it. He’s easy to talk to about it and coach about it. He expects a lot of himself, kind of quietly. He’s kind of got that easy smile and easy way about him, but he expects a lot of himself, too.
“As do we.”
WELLS WILL MAKE HISTORY
After batting first all spring, Austin Wells is staying put.
Boone advised Talkin’ Yanks that Wells would be the Yankees’ leadoff man to start out the season, together with on Opening Day. Nevertheless, Paul Goldschmidt might fill the spot in opposition to lefties.
Like Goldschmidt, Wells has by no means been a leadoff hitter within the majors. The truth is, no Yankees catcher has ever executed the job.
Nevertheless, the sophomore did it effectively this spring. Wells hit .348 with a 1.183 OPS, six homers and 12 RBI throughout exhibition play.
RICE OFFICIALLY MAKES TEAM
Whereas it was lengthy assumed that Domínguez and Ben Rice would make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster, Boone didn’t formally announce that till Tuesday afternoon, per NJ.com’s Max Goodman.
A left-handed swinger who can play first and catch, Rice has earned some seems within the DH position with Giancarlo Stanton sidelined by his elbows. Rice had an explosive spring after gaining 10-15 kilos since June, crushing 5 homers whereas repeatedly recording exit velocities over 100 mph.
