The New York Yankees have risen to the top of the MLB standings this season, thanks primarily to the power of their bats.
They are second in the major leagues in total home runs and in the top ten in slugging %, RBI, and hits, with outfielders Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Aaron Judge among the team’s top six sluggers.
The team’s hitting could get much better soon, as top prospect Jasson Dominguez begins a rehab assignment this week, with a possible return next month. However, a return would need rearranging the present outfielders, and Randy Miller of NJ.com predicted that the Yankees would not do so, despite Dominguez’s potential.
“When (the rehab assignment) is up on June 4, the Yankees will have to decide whether they want Dominguez back with them and starting in center with Aaron Judge in left and Juan Soto in right, or opt to stick with what’s worked well so far: Verdugo in left with Judge in the middle and Soto in right,” wrote Miller. “Prediction: Verdugo keeps his job and Dominguez is optioned until coming up in September.”
The New York Yankees might delay the return of promising slugger Jasson Dominguez.
Dominguez showed great promise in his limited appearance last season. In only 31 at-bats, he hit.258/.303/.677, with eight hits, four home runs, and seven RBIs. However, just eight games into his MLB career, he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and has kept him sidelined till now.
“Dominguez, 20, made MLB history by homering in four of his first seven games—becoming the youngest ever to do so,” Matt Snyder noted for CBS Sports last year. “Dominguez has been one of the Yankees’ top prospects and one of the most hyped young players in professional baseball after signing with the Yankees for more than $5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019.”
Despite the excitement surrounding his return and the potential surge he could bring to the batting order, Miller stated that the Yankees would not want to disrupt the success they’ve seen in the outfield and might prefer to give the young player some more minor league experience as long as their current outfield is producing.
“Optionining Dominguez is a possibility because the Yankees love what they’re getting from Verdugo, who has been a solid offensive contributor and good defender while bringing more energy to the dugout and clubhouse than anyone probably since Luke Voit,” he said. “Also, while Dominguez made a sensational first impression last September before his quick season-ending elbow injury, he has just 17 games of experience above Double-A, nine with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and eight with the Yankees.”
The New York Yankees may have a slugger in the wings as Jasson Dominguez returns.
Ultimately, the Yankees may not have much to lose by optioning Dominguez, assuming they maintain their standings entering the playoffs. By delaying his return to the major leagues, the team may receive an even more significant boost shortly before a postseason run.
But in case Verdugo or some other members of the team make room for him before then, the Yankees should have a strong option waiting in the wings.
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