Ultimately, Yankee followers are getting what they’ve been wishing for since 2023: a full season of Jasson Dominguez. With Alex Verdugo not being introduced again, the 22-year-old will formally have a significant function this season. The one they name “The Martian” has formally landed within the Bronx! Whereas he made his Main League debut in 2023, he hasn’t appeared in sufficient video games to shed his prospect standing. He’s ranked 21st on MLB’s prime 100 prospects checklist. It has been a few years for the reason that Yankees have had a prospect as hyped as Jasson Dominguez. There’s loads of causes to be enthusiastic about Dominguez’s first full big-league season.
The Hype Has Surrounded Jasson Dominguez Since Day One
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There was loads of hype surrounding Jasson Dominguez for the reason that Yankees signed him in 2019 when he was simply 16. New York even gave him a signing bonus of $5.1 million which was most of their worldwide pool cash that yr. The then 16-year-old was thought-about to be a not often seen five-tool participant. Some even in contrast Dominguez’s expertise to that of Mike Trout, Bo Jackson, and Mickey Mantle.
Slowed By Accidents
Regardless of dropping a developmental yr resulting from COVID-19, it took Jasson Dominguez simply three seasons to rocket up the Yankees farm system. In 2023, Dominguez would make his debut towards the then-defending World Sequence champion Houston Astros. In that recreation, Jasson Dominguez would hit his first profession dwelling run off former Cy Younger award winner Justin Verlander. This made Dominguez the youngest participant in baseball historical past to homer of their first at-bat. Nonetheless, the budding star would later be identified with a torn UCL, requiring Tommy John surgical procedure. Earlier than the harm, Jasson Dominguez had homered 4 instances in simply eight video games.
The 22-year-old spent a lot of the 2024 season recovering and rehabbing from elbow surgical procedure. On prime of the UCL harm he suffered the yr earlier than, the highest prospect additionally handled a strained indirect that price him over a month of the season. The presence of veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo additionally restricted his alternatives to make an influence on the Main League stage. Dominguez would finally discover his manner again into the Yankees lineup; nonetheless, he’d have a lot much less success. In 18 video games, Dominguez slashed simply .179/.313/.304 with two homers, 4 RBI, and a .617 OPS. The 22-year-old additionally struggled defensively when enjoying left-field.
He’ll Have A Complete 12 months To Get Acclimated
Jasson Dominguez is prepared for the present. In 4 minor league seasons, he’s slashed .274/.373/.444 with 47 dwelling runs, 189 RBI, and a .816 OPS. The 22-year-old additionally proved when he will get on base by swiping 102 bases. In 26 profession video games with the massive membership, he’s flashed his potential at instances. Nonetheless, accidents and Verdugo’s presence restricted his development. Now he’s totally wholesome and Verdugo now gone, that is the yr the place Dominguez can put all of it collectively. He’ll have a full spring camp and season to get fully acclimated to the massive leagues. Heck, the Yankees have even assigned his locker proper in between former NL MVP Cody Bellinger and group captain Aaron Choose. The assets that Jasson Dominguez has at his disposal to achieve success are infinite.
“The Martian” Is Prepared
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With Jasson Dominguez’s accidents behind him and Alex Verdugo departing, that is the yr the place he can put all of it collectively. He’s produced stellar numbers all through the Yankees farm system and has flashed his potential throughout his two call-ups to the present. He’s at the moment penciled in to play left-field this season and the Yankees are ensuring Dominguez is ready. The group has even gone as far to assign him a locker in between Cody Bellinger and Aaron Choose. Yankee followers have been anticipating this season since his huge league debut, “The Martian” is lastly prepared for the present.
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