For the third consecutive year, the New York Yankees head into the new season without a clear leadoff hitter. Some might argue it’s actually the fifth year in a row, given DJ LeMahieu’s ongoing injury struggles that prevented him from fulfilling that role in 2021 and 2022, despite expectations. Outside of that, the Yankees’ attempts have been largely unsuccessful.
They tried thrusting a raw Anthony Volpe into the leadoff spot, but it was a disaster. In 2024, Alex Verdugo held the role for a while, and Gleyber Torres provided a spark last year, but now he’s gone. None of these options were ideal, and the question remains: what will the Yankees do for 2025?
Could they rely on a healthy LeMahieu? Probably not. Are they considering trying Volpe in the role again? Or maybe they’ll experiment with Jazz Chisholm or Cody Bellinger? It’s baffling that the Yankees still have no clear answer.
And now, in an unexpected twist, they’re considering giving Jasson Dominguez the leadoff spot to start 2025. Dominguez? The same player the Yankees kept on the sidelines last year, even when Verdugo struggled? Fans aren’t necessarily opposed to Dominguez in the role, but they’re confused by the team’s inconsistency and their tendency to make puzzling decisions.
- Jasson Dominguez
Just last September, Brian Cashman said there was “no lane” for Dominguez to play regularly when rosters expanded, leaving him at Triple-A. Less than two weeks later, Dominguez was suddenly called up and starting in the outfield.
However, after a few rough defensive moments, he was benched again. He only had 67 plate appearances and didn’t even get an at-bat during the postseason. Fast forward to now, and the Yankees are ready to hand him the leadoff job, a role they previously thought was better suited for veterans like Verdugo.
This shift has left many fans scratching their heads. While they’re hopeful for Dominguez’s future with the team, the way the Yankees manage their prospects and fill key roles is leaving them more confused than excited. Dominguez clearly has potential, but his journey has been a rollercoaster, especially with injuries taking center stage in recent years. The Yankees should ease him back into major league action instead of putting him at the forefront of their offense right away.
Dominguez might eventually thrive with the Yankees, but throwing him into the fire as a leadoff hitter at the start of the season seems like a risky move. Fans are left wondering why the team continuously arrives at such questionable decisions when it comes to building their lineup.
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