Is Jasson Domínguez's future in the Majors at risk? The Yankees' rising star might be heading back to Triple-A, and it’s sparking a heated debate.
TAMPA, Fla. -- Last season, after the All-Star break, Jasson Domínguez found himself on the bench more often than not. This lack of playing time ignited an internal discussion within the Yankees organization: Would a return to the Minor Leagues better serve his development? General Manager Brian Cashman admitted he considered sending Domínguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre during the second half of the season but ultimately decided against it.
“He wasn’t getting at-bats, and I could have sent him down,” Cashman explained. “But I didn’t feel that was the right move. He gave us a valuable option off the bench, especially with his speed alongside [José] Caballero. I still see a lot of potential in him.”
But here's where it gets controversial: The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported on Thursday that, barring any unexpected changes, Domínguez—who celebrates his 23rd birthday this Saturday—is likely headed to Triple-A. “We have a roster packed with exceptional talent,” manager Aaron Boone noted. “Jasson and Spencer are undoubtedly part of that group.”
Domínguez, one of baseball’s most hyped prospects in recent years, made a splash in 2023 by homering off Justin Verlander in his very first Major League at-bat. However, his debut was cut short after just eight games due to the need for Tommy John surgery. In 2024, he appeared in only 18 big league games, most of which were in September. Over 123 games last season, he posted a .257/.331/.388 slash line, with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases, exclusively playing left field.
And this is the part most people miss: One area where the Yankees are seeking improvement is Domínguez’s performance against left-handed pitching. He’s batted just .186 (22-for-118) with one home run and nine RBIs against big league lefties. “We’re talking about a very young player who didn’t log a lot of Minor League innings,” Boone pointed out. “And what tends to suffer in that scenario? The side you don’t hit from as often. He’s naturally a right-handed hitter, so it’s not unreasonable to think his right-handed swing could catch up to his left side at some point.”
When asked if Domínguez could still evolve into a productive switch-hitter, Cashman admitted it’s “a fair question with no clear answer yet.” “He’s missed out on a lot of developmental opportunities, whether due to the 2020 COVID season or his Tommy John injury,” Cashman added. “So, there’s definitely an argument for just letting him play and develop organically.”
The seven weeks of Spring Training could provide much-needed clarity. As Cashman noted, any injury to a starting outfielder would open up opportunities. Additionally, the Yankees must consider how much they can rely on Giancarlo Stanton, who was limited to just 77 games last year due to severe tennis elbow in both arms—an issue that, while believed to be manageable, hasn’t fully healed.
“We still have a long way to go before the first Spring Training game, let alone Opening Day,” Boone said. “You never know what surprises might come our way.”
What do you think? Is sending Domínguez to Triple-A the right move, or should the Yankees keep him in the Majors to let him grow through experience? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to divide opinions!
