After years of being a top prospect hyped as the next big thing, Jasson Domínguez officially shed that label last week by logging enough major league experience with the Yankees. Now the question is: can he move off the metaphorical hot seat as well?
Coming into the season, Domínguez’s defense in left field—especially given it was a new position for him—was seen as his weak link. But after making three challenging plays on Monday against the Royals, that concern has quieted down, at least for now. There haven’t been any glaring mistakes to reignite the conversation.
With his defense no longer under the microscope, attention has shifted to his right-handed hitting. On Tuesday, he confidently turned on a 1-2 inside fastball from left-hander Angel Zerpa—pitched precisely where his swing had previously been vulnerable—and crushed it, clearing the bases. That was another big box checked.
Of course, no rookie ever stops developing. So what’s next on the list to improve? At this point, Domínguez’s most amusing issue might be keeping his contact lenses in place.
Thanks in part to the Yankees’ current home stretch, Domínguez has surged in production—ranking sixth among all left fielders in MLB in wRC+ as of Wednesday’s game against the Royals. He’s tied with Jackson Chourio in FanGraphs WAR and sits ahead of Kerry Carpenter. Statistically, he’s not just surviving amid the Yankees’ offensive firepower—he’s thriving. And there’s still more potential to unlock.
Sure, the sample size is small—almost as small as the guy sitting ninth on that same list. And if we’re praising Domínguez, it’s only fair to shout out Kyle Stowers too. Credit where it’s due.
But even with the usual caveats, it’s been a hugely promising sign to see Domínguez bounce back from early-season struggles and rise quickly among the league’s top left fielders. Washington’s James Wood might still be in a class of his own in terms of raw, jaw-dropping talent—but Domínguez isn’t far behind.
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