New York Yankees fans were left scratching their heads when the team opted not to promote highly-touted prospect Jasson Dominguez on September 1, despite rosters expanding to 28 players.
However, just over a week later, the fans’ hopes were realized when the Yankees announced the call-up of Dominguez before Monday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
Dominguez, nicknamed “The Martian” for his otherworldly talents, batted sixth in the series opener against the Royals.
The Yankees made room for Dominguez on the roster by placing infielder DJ LeMahieu on the injured list due to a right hip impingement. He finished 1-4 with a stolen base and a run scored.
The move came as a surprise after general manager Brian Cashman had doubled-down on his reluctance to promote Dominguez.
Speaking to reporters during the Yankees’ series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Cashman had pointed to outfielder Alex Verdugo as a better option for the team’s late-season push.
“It just comes down to, what’s best to help us win games?” Cashman said last Friday. “It’s as simple as that.”
Though Verdugo has faced his share of struggles this season, Cashman stood by his decision, citing the outfielder’s recent improvement.
“I think he’s playing good baseball right now,” Cashman explained. “He’s playing much better than he had been. Just comes down to, is that the best route to go? That’s how we’ve got it set up currently.”
In fairness to Cashman, Verdugo’s recent performance has shown signs of life.
He’s batting .320 over his last 14 games, although his overall season numbers – including a disappointing OPS+ of 83 in 519 at-bats – have made some question whether he is truly the best option.
Verdugo’s lack-of-hustle has also been a source of extreme frustration for Yankees fans.
With Dominguez now in the fold, the Yankees clearly believe the dynamic young outfielder offers a better chance to spark the team down the stretch.
“If he comes here, he’s going to play,” Cashman stated, making it clear that Dominguez will be more than just a bench piece.
Dominguez made a brief but electrifying debut for the Yankees last season, blasting four home runs and a double in just 31 at-bats across eight games.
However, a torn UCL and subsequent Tommy John surgery cut his season short and limited him to only 57 games in the minors this year.
Despite the setback, Dominguez impressed during his time in Triple-A, hitting .309 with an .858 OPS.
Though this is Dominguez’s second major league stint, he previously served as the 27th man for the Yankees in the Little League Classic in August, going 0-for-4.
Needless to say, Yankees fans are eager to see him in action on a more regular basis.
As for Cashman, do you think he caved to fan pressure in any way, shape or form? … Or do you think he simply came to the realization that the Yankees are a better team with Dominguez on the active big-league roster?
In the bigger picture, how do you see the rest of the season playing out for the Yankees? … Will they win the World Series???
