The Yankees are promoting C/1B Ben Rice from Triple-A to replace an injured Anthony Rizzo, who fractured his wrist and will be placed on the Injured List ahead of tonight’s game.
When Anthony Rizzo went down during the Yankees series finale against the Boston Red Sox, there was immediately speculation on weather or not the Yankees would call up Ben Rice, who is the Yankees #12 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
This is a very bold move by the Yankees, considering Rice wasn’t on the 40-Man Roster. Rice since being drafted into the Yankees organization has done nothing but mash at every level. In 60 games this season between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he is slashing .275/.393/.532 for a .925 OPS, 15 home runs, and a 162 wRC+. Though there’s a lot to be desired with Rice’s defense at first base, his bat will surely play.
This is a very bold statement by the Yankees, this tells me that they like Rice a lot and they could see him being a very good player as time goes on. In years past, the Yankees struggled to make this kind of call up, one that comes to mind is not promoting shortstop Oswald Peraza to play over the incumbent Isiah Kiner-Falefa. This time is different, the Yankees recognize their need for more offense and roster depth, and Ben Rice is going to provide some pop in the bottom of the lineup.
Projected Lineup:
SS Anthony Volpe
RF Juan Soto
CF Aaron Judge
LF Alex Verdugo
DH Giancarlo Stanton
2B Gleyber Torres
1B Ben Rice
C Jose Trevino/Austin Wells
3B DJ LeMahieu/Oswaldo Cabrera
BS Reports 
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