Jasson Domínguez, after many years riding fervently atop the Hype Train, finally graduated from prospect status last week after gaining enough reps with the big-league Yankees to qualify. Is he now ready to graduate from the Hot Seat as well?
Domínguez’s defense in left field was viewed as his weak spot entering the season (and transitioning to a new position). Three difficult plays (to varying degrees) on Monday against the Royals quieted that narrative for a bit. At the very least, it hasn’t been mentioned much without a glaring flub to speak of.
With the defensive chatter slowing down, attention then turned to his at-bats from the right side of the plate. Gaining confidence with every day, Domínguez turned on a 1-2 inside fastball from lefty Angel Zerpa on Tuesday, intended to directly target his swing’s biggest gap. It didn’t work. The rookie cleared the bases and checked another box.
With the necessary caveat that the learning curve never stops, what weaknesses must specifically be targeted now? At this point, Domínguez’s biggest flaw is his inability to keep his contact lenses attached to his eyeballs.
Catalyzed by the Yankees’ current homestand, Domínguez suddenly ranked sixth in MLB among all left fielders in terms of wRC+ entering Wednesday’s series finale with KC. He’s tied with Jackson Chourio in FanGraphs WAR and ahead of Kerry Carpenter. The numbers bear it out. Domínguez is no longer just holding his own or hiding in the brush beside the Yankees’ offensive barrage. He’s flourishing – and he’s got a higher ceiling still to reach.
Jasson Dominguez has had a solid April so far. He’s amongst the top LF in this sample and his 130 OPS+ has added some offense at the bottom of the Yankee lineup. He has an approach and there’s a lot of development to come down the road. He’s displayed great base-running… pic.twitter.com/f7LWpMr9v1
https://twitter.com/YankeeSource/status/1912548779796177387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Yankees’ Jasson Domínguez has ridden home hot streak to be among best left fielders in MLB
Obviously, this is a minuscule sample size in the grand scheme of things. Almost as minuscule as the guy who ranks ninth! If we’re going to venerate Domínguez, we also must give a tip of the cap to Kyle Stowers. So it goes.
Still, which there’s nothing declarative and emphatic to take away from this long-term, it’s been remarkably encouraging to see Domínguez not only get back on his feet again after an early burial, but transcend the rest of baseball in rising towards the top of the heap. James Wood in Washington already has a well-deserved reputation for being a physical freak with impossible-to-describe talent. Perhaps he’s a tier above the Yankees’ rookie.
But Domínguez isn’t far behind. And that matters.
