BALTIMORE – Requested what he’s seen from Jasson Domínguez this season, Brian Cashman lately acknowledged that the 22-year-old’s taking part in time has suffered on account of Trent Grisham’s success.
“I don’t think anybody had the expectation that Grish was going to come in and do what he’s done this year,” the overall supervisor mentioned. “Going into [the season], the plan was to give [Domínguez] a runway to deal with some growing pains, and every month, in theory, he’d settle in and establish himself as an everyday guy at this level. But Grish was like, ‘Hey, don’t forget about me, because I can do some things.’”
As Cashman alluded to, the plan was for Domínguez to be the Yankees’ on a regular basis left fielder when the season started. However with Grisham having fun with a profession 12 months and cementing himself in middle and Cody Bellinger getting extra left discipline work as he stars in his first season with the Bombers, the switch-hitting Domínguez — nonetheless a legal responsibility on protection and never a lot of a menace from the best aspect of the plate — has taken a backseat.
Wednesday’s 10-5 win over the Twins, which noticed Grisham and Bellinger mix for 3 house runs, was simply Domínguez’s third begin over the past 18 days. That span included some dental work for a tooth an infection, but it surely’s nonetheless change into clear that Domínguez gained’t play a beginning position if the Yankees’ postseason goes in accordance with plan.
Nevertheless, Wednesday’s recreation did spotlight a method through which Domínguez can contribute this postseason, as he stole two bases. The primary adopted his fourth-inning RBI double, whereas the second got here after he was hit with a pitch within the eighth inning. Domínguez went on to steal second and superior to 3rd on a throwing error earlier than ultimately scoring.
The Martian now has 23 baggage on 27 makes an attempt this 12 months getting into Thursday’s series-opener towards the Orioles.
Domínguez additionally has the quickest dash velocity on the Yankees at 28.6 toes per second, making him an apparent pinch-running candidate within the playoffs. MLB stolen base chief José Caballero (28.3 ft/sec) and Anthony Volpe (28.4 ft/sec) may additionally break up begins at shortstop in October, that means the Yankees ought to have loads of velocity to work with on their bench.
Requested Wednesday what Domínguez has proven on the bases this season, Aaron Boone informed reporters that the teen has gotten higher and extra assured stealing bases.
“His speed is so good, but I feel like he’s done a better job as the season’s gone along of just consistently getting some good breaks,” the supervisor continued, per the YES Community. “Even running in some situations where it’s tough, when you have a tough matchup where we’re going to push the envelope a little bit, he’s done a good job in those spots, too.”
Domínguez may be a weapon towards right-handed pitching in October.
Whereas that will not essentially imply he’ll get spot begins, his .774 OPS from the left aspect may make him a pinch-hit choice.
“He’s working hard behind the scenes to stay ready,” Boone mentioned after Domínguez’s double off Twins right-hander Taj Bradley. “There are opportunities that are going to present themselves.”
