In the midst of a season-worst four-game losing streak and jarring 20-inning scoreless streak, the Yankees are shaking things up with a new hitter atop their lineup.
Jasson Dominguez will bat in the leadoff spot on Tuesday night against the visiting Los Angeles Angels, and it’s the first time the rookie outfielder has been penciled in higher than fifth in the order all season.
Before the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the decision to elevate Dominguez was made with his “obsession with balance” in mind, but the lineup tweak could provide a jolt to a dormant offense that’s been shut out in two straight games. Boone also noted days off for Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice when explaining Dominguez’s new task.
“I felt like this was the best way to go. Hopefully he controls the zone like he does and does his thing at the top today,” Boone said of Dominguez. “He’s just really good with the strike zone. He kind of always has been. When he’s been at his best this season, that’s what he’s done. Hopefully he sets the tone for us at the top.”
Dominguez was by no means an obvious candidate to assume leadoff duties with a few impact players resting on the bench. The switch-hitting youngster hasn’t connected on many pitches of late, as he’s slashed a measly .204/.259/.245 with no home runs and just three RBI across his last 15 games (49 at-bats). He’s also struggled mightily against lefties this season, and his league-average 102 wRC+ ranks 10th on the team.
But the former top prospect has the speed and pop to effectively serve as a table setter, and he’ll be able to hit from his more-dominant left side with veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks slated to start for the Angels.
While the leadoff assignment comes with added pressure and responsibility, this isn’t Dominguez’s first time in the role. He batted first in the second-to-last game of the 2024 season, finishing 1-for-4 with a walk and strikeout against the Pirates.
The Yankees obviously want more production from Dominguez, who’s batting .236 overall and trying to meet lofty expectations set by scouts and fans years ago when he was still a teenager. But it’s easy to forget Dominguez has played in only 53 career Triple-A games, plus he’s been learning a new outfield position.
“He’s done a nice job. He’s shown you in these couple months, or cemented for us, ‘Man, this guy’s going to be a really good player,'” Boone said. “His at-bat quality is there. He’s still coming around from the right side, but I feel like that’s improving. That’s an experience thing, he’ll get better and better with time… You see his talent pretty much every night that he’s out there…”
The Yankees’ new-ish lineup will also feature Giancarlo Stanton for a second straight night, as he’s slated to bat fourth as their designated hitter. The veteran slugger returned from the injured list and made his season debut in Monday’s extra-innings loss, going 2-for-4 with a double.
Read the full article here