The Yankees announced today that 3B Josh Donaldson has been released, and it has been reported that OF Harrison Bader has been placed on Waivers, which potentially could create a lane for top prospects Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells to find themselves on the 26-Man roster within the next week when the rosters expand.
With Dominguez being promoted to Triple-A about a week ago, everyone is wondering about the potential possibility of him making his major league debut prior to the end of the season. Both Brian Cashman, and Aaron Boone both hinted at that fact. Dominguez went on a torid hot streak starting around mid June and rode that all the way to a promotion. Though in a small sample in Triple-A, Dominguez is slashing .478/.556/.652. Though the run environment at the Triple-A level is insane, Dominguez has had a much improved eye and better swing decisions are leading to very good results.
Austin Wells, the Yankees 2020 First Round pick, is also in the running to be called up when the rosters expand, this not only would give the Yankees an offensive improvement at the catcher position, and an extended look at his defense at the major league level. There have been questions about his defense behind the plate for years now. Though he has improved his framing, his blocking and run game management has still been a question mark for him. But the one thing about him is that we know he can hit, slashing .263/.353/.475 with a 104 wRC+. For reference, a 104 wRC+ at the major league level would be 6th among qualified catchers.
With the Yankees youth movement in full force, and the potential call-ups of Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells, the Yankees could run out a very young lineup.
1B DJ LeMahieu
RF Aaron Judge
2B Gleyber Torres
DH Giancarlo Stanton
SS Anthony Volpe
LF Everson Pereira
CF Jasson Dominguez
C Austin Wells
3B Oswald Peraza
The Yankees are staring 2024 and beyond directly in the face. Giving young players playing time will be good for them to assess who they believe is ready to start for a full season. And this isn’t even the end of the youth movement, pitching prospects such as Drew Thorpe, and Chase Hampton will both be knocking on the door for starting rotation spots next season.
BS Reports 
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