The Yankees will have a new-look outfield this season and Jasson Dominguez is expected to be a big part of it.
After Juan Soto went crosstown, the Yankees made a deal to acquire Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. The former NL MVP and multi-time Gold Glove outfielder should pair well with Aaron Judge, but how about that final position?
Dominguez has been the organization’s top prospect for a couple of seasons and now that he’s healthy, 2025 could be the year he gets his shot at playing a full season in The Bronx, at least that’s what GM Brian Cashman wants.
“I’d like to see him get his shot now,” the long-time Yankees GM told the media, including MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, during Max Fried’s introductory news conference on Wednesday.
Dominguez, 21, is a dynamic player who has had both moments of brilliance and those of the head-scratching variety.
He was a September call-up in 2023 and mashed four home runs in just eight games played. However, he suffered an elbow injury that required surgery that took him out of the running to win a starter position in 2024.
The Yankees pivoted by acquiring Soto from the Padres and Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox to give them their starting outfield.
Dominguez would not suit up in the minors until May and dominated the various levels just as he did the year prior. He slashed .314/.376/.880 while smacking 11 home runs and driving in 35 runs in 58 games.
The young outfielder did eventually get a chance to play for the team in 2024, but he didn’t have an avenue for too much playing time. In 18 games, he went 10-for-67 (.179) with two home runs and four RBI.
His defense was also suspect as he was put in left field — his natural position being in center — and made one error and was overall shaky in his 13 games (12 starts) out there.
It’s unclear where the Yankees plan to deploy Dominguez as earlier reports that Bellinger will play centerfield were debunked by manager Aaron Boone on Wednesday, calling the reports “fake news.”
Bellinger in center would make sense. He won a Gold Glove at the position in 2019 and could easily play there at Yankee Stadium, but with the vast left field dimensions at home, he could be used there to allow Dominguez to play at his natural spot.
Boone said Bellinger could play at center, left or first base in 2025 so it remains to be seen how the outfield will look, but if Cashman’s insistence is any indication, the Yankees will give their prospect the chance to prove himself this upcoming season.
