The New York Yankees are 30-19 this year. While Aaron Judge is getting most of the attention, a former No.1 prospect is starting to figure things out. Jasson Domínguez has become the first player ever to have a three-home run game, homer from both sides of the plate, hit a grand slam, and hit a walkoff home run in the same month.
Domínguez was the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect going into 2024. He appeared in 18 games for the team last season, hitting just .179. His numbers this year are better. He has hit .241 with six home runs and a .778 OPS in 40 games. However, he has been on a tear since the calendar flipped to May.
This month, he has a .960 OPS and four home runs. He is turning into the player the Yankees had hoped for as they watched him come up through their farm system. Domínguez is splitting time between DH and left field. His defense has room to improve, but he is forcing his way into the lineup with his bat.
Hailing from Esperanza, Dominican Republic, Domínguez will have an uphill battle if he wants to represent his country in the World Baseball Classic. The Dominican Republic will have plenty of options when it comes to picking who to deploy in the outfield. It will come down to who is healthy and willing to play.
Domínguez is still young, but he could force his way onto the roster, just as he is forcing the Yankees to keep him in the lineup. There is still plenty of season left to play, but if he turns into the star the Yankees expected him to be, he could find himself in the conversation to play in the World Baseball Classic.
