Spring training for Jasson Domínguez inside Major League camp with the New York Yankees is done for now. After Thursday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Yankees optioned Domínguez back to Double-A. It is a heartbreaking blow to all Yankees fans enamored with the Martian’s spring and not very pleased with the decision.
Yankees news: Jasson Domínguez has had a magnificent spring
In his first 22 at-bats this spring, Domínguez slugged a stellar .455 and four homers, including this massive shot. He was glorious to watch, with Aaron Judge, Hal Steinbrenner, and others impressed.
Hal Steinbrenner’s quote on Tuesday gave Yankees fans some hope they will see the Martian in the show, filling in while Harrison Bader is on the injured list. Steinbrenner said, “We knew it was going to be exciting. It’s great to see all of our young kids playing well, including Dominguez. The reality is when we’ve got young prospects are ready and deserving of a chance, they’re gonna get it, just like Judge did.”
It’s probably for the best as Domínguez played in just five games at Double-A Somerset last season and needs to develop a little more. However, it seems Anthony Volpe’s time is now.
Yankees: Anthony Volpe to be a fantasy baseball steal
All Yankees fans have heard the buzz on Volpe. His spring performance could well cement him in at shortstop on Opening Day. He has been jaw-dropping defensively while seemingly a superstar in-waiting at the plate.
Check out this fine example of his defensive and bat skills.
Have a day, Anthony Volpe!@Yankees No. 1 prospect doing it all! pic.twitter.com/VMfshW0Zqf
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) March 15, 2023
Manager Aaron Boone told ESPN, “He’s performed. We knew coming in that he was going to be a big story of camp. He’s come in with the expectations and a lot of eyeballs on him, and he’s performed.”
In his first 28 at-bats this spring, Volpe is hitting .321 with two home runs and four doubles while swiping three bases. It’s seemingly no longer a question of when or if he plays shortstop for the Yankees, but where to draft him on fantasy baseball teams. I’m projecting 450 at-bats, 77 runs scored, and 69 RBI with 22 homers and 44 stolen bases. That’s definitely worth a sixth- to eighth-round pick.