Jasson Dominguez has been one of the most prized prospects in recent memory for the New York Yankees. I still remember when he was just 16 years old when we signed him in the international signing pool, and now he’s 19 and continuing to advance through the minor leagues. Though the expectations for him are very lofty, with comps to the Mick and Mike Trout already having been thrown out there, the future is still insanely bright for The Martian.
Normally, prospects are guys that you should look to move for MLB talent when you’re a competitor, but as we’ve seen in recent years, the Yanks choose to hold onto some of the talent they have in the farm system, over shipping it off for a win-now type of player.
However, to say Cashman and co are prospect huggers is the furthest thing from the truth, as in the past two years alone, the entire farm has been re-tooled following the loss of dozens of prospects for the likes of Gallo, Rizzo, Montas, Benintendi, and others. Yet, Dominguez has stayed put and has continued to progress through the ranks, with countless fans holding firm to their beliefs that he is the one we’ve been waiting for.
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Dominguez flew through the system last year, and this year will be no different:
The Martian rapidly flew through the different levels of the minor leagues last season, as he ended the year on AA Somerset after stealing the show with the Hudson Valley Renegades. The switch-hitter turned heads in his limited showing at High A, as he posted a 145 wRC+, 17 steals with six dingers, and OPS’d .906 in 40 games with the Renegades. His eye and plate discipline were on full display, as he walked 12.5% of the time whilst striking out just 18.5%. He has always been heralded for his exceptional plate coverage, and last year we saw just that.
When he got promoted to Somerset, there certainly was an adjustment that he has to get under his belt next season. He OPS’d just .596 during the measly five games he was with the squad, but he still posted exceptional BB/K numbers for someone his age. He was able to walk 13.6% of the time whilst K’ing 22.7% of the time. His BB/K numbers are eerily similar to those of Hicks’, but the difference between the two is that Domínguez has the other tools to go with it and not just that one thing. People also seem to forget that Hicks was a really quality outfielder from 2017-20.
I understand how many fans want the Yankees to trade away their talent for guys like Bryan Reynolds, though I would do everything in my power to hang onto Jasson Dominguez. He has the tools to be a generational player at the major league level, and if the Yankees can play their cards right with him, he should see AAA Scranton this season. There’s no telling just how bright his future is, but he has exceptional defensive skills in CF thanks to his ability to get great reads on balls hit in gaps, and his arm will certainly translate nicely as he gets older.
The Yankees should keep Dominguez, even in a potential deal for Bryan Reynolds:
He’s already built out, and at 5’10/5’11, he’s able to generate tons of torque and power from his lower half. He’s able to combine that with a smooth swing and quick hands to turn on pitches inside or those outside low and away. There’s not been a prospect like him in some time, and I understand the love for Anthony Volpe. Jasson is truly a special talent and one the organization believes in, or else they wouldn’t have signed him for the price tag they did. The Yankees gave him a franchise-record-setting $5.1 million signing bonus, using 95% of their international bonus pool for 2019-20 on the 16-year-old free agent at the time.
Cashman and his new slew of executives should be closely monitoring the minor leagues with farm director Kevin Reese, and Dominguez remains a name to watch throughout this season and down the road in the future. He’s certainly got the skills to translate to the majors, and once he gets his shot, I have a feeling he won’t waste it. He’s consistently featured as a T4 prospect in the system, and that’s following his first full season of professional baseball with the organization.
The 2021-22 season was a weird one, as following the COVID year, there were still adjustments and factors that were not normal for baseball. Of course, as many know, the 2020 minor league season was canceled, and Dominguez was unable to suit up. Now, here we are, entering the 2023 season, and he’s most definitely chomping at the bit, revving to get going.
Dominguez will be a star; it just remains to be seen for who. If the Yankees do well and are able to acquire Reynolds, whilst hanging onto Dominguez, I’ll be very, very happy. However, if they do include him in a trade, I will remain one of the few that will be melancholic following. The Martian can easily be a Bryan Reynolds-Esque talent the moment he reaches the MLB; all we have to do is just wait and see.