The New York Yankees have amped up their game, headlining prospect promotions with the inclusion of Jasson Dominguez for their upcoming series against the Houston Astros this Friday.
A 20-year-old phenom, Dominguez has been nothing short of spectacular in Triple-A, boasting a batting average of .444 and a .531 OBP. These extraordinary numbers are backed up by his 10 RBIs, a low 6.3% strikeout rate, a 15.6% walk rate, and a staggering 187 wRC+ in just 32 plate appearances. Evidently, the Yankees are capitalizing on this momentum, granting him a spot in the MLB roster for the upcoming September matches.
Why Dominguez’s Promotion Makes Sense for the Yankees
If the Yankees’ front office is looking at Dominguez as a probable starter come 2024, this early move into the big leagues is strategically brilliant. But hold your horses—Dominguez isn’t the lone player moving up the ranks.
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Austin Wells: The Lefty Catcher Making Strides
According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, lefty catcher Austin Wells is also earning his stripes, freshly promoted from Double-A to Triple-A Scranton. In 32 games at this level, Wells has been putting up credible numbers: a .262 batting average, a .355 OBP, and a .467 slugging rate. Add to that his five homers, 20 RBIs, a 23.4% strikeout rate, a 10.6% walk rate, and a 104 wRC+. His journey to the MLB might have been bumpy, but the Yankees see potential and are keen to evaluate his future contribution, especially as a catcher.
Roster Implications and Future Prospects
While Wells could experience some playtime at first base—given the Yankees currently roster Kyle Higashioka and Ben Rortvedt—it’s interesting to note that Rortvedt, another lefty-hitting catcher, hasn’t been up to par since his recent call-up. His 25-game record shows a disappointing .122 batting average and a .246 OBP, rounded off with just two homers, three RBIs, and a 47 wRC+. Wells, armed with the kind of power that can send balls over the Yankee Stadium fences, could be the answer to these issues as the regular season nears its end.
