Coming into this season, the Yankees currently have 4 players in their lineup who I believe can be above average contributors, and a rookie starter in the rotation. This is an influx of young talent that we really haven’t seen the Yankees show off since 2016-2018 when Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar had big impacts at the Major League Level. Whereas this younger core includes, in order of their debut, Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, Austin Wells, Ben Rice, and Will Warren.
SS Anthony Volpe
Volpe is entering a big year this year. His third year in the major leagues is upcoming and he still has things to prove. Defensively, not much. As soon as he was called up he blossomed into one of the best defensive shortstops in the league, winning the Gold Glove in his rookie year. Offensively though, there is some more production to be desired. In 2023, he showed an ability to hit for solid game power, hitting more than 20 home runs though sporting lower on base rates. His power regressed in 2024, but his average and on base rates improved. We saw a big change for Volpe during the playoffs however, a much higher bat speed than during the regular season, and was visibly more selective at the plate and was not whiffing as much, while increasing his walk rate and his exit velocities. The higher bat speeds and exit velocities have carried over into Spring Training, if he can put it together and be an above average hitter, he’ll only be more valuable, as his defense and baserunning already provide a ton of value. Volpe doesn’t need to have the type of jump that Bobby Witt Jr did in order to be successful offensively, but he needs to elevate his offensive game to being at least above league average, and I think he will accomplish that, which will make the Yankees lineup that much deeper.
OF Jasson Domínguez
We know the story with Jasson Domínguez, he is a former top International signee, dealt with some injuries as he broke into the majors. But, what has remained is the undeniable talent in his profile. Offensively he has elite exit velocities giving him 25-35 homer pop while also having an elite eye at the plate. Dominguez has always put up elite walk rates in the minors while limiting the strikeouts. Defensively though, there is a lot to be desired. He didn’t have a great showing in his 18 games in the majors last year defensively, showing poor routes and multiple errors, but I believe much of the criticism was very overblown. Dominguez may not be an insanely talented defensive outfielder, but he’s not as unplayable as some were describing him as. I expect him to be about an average defensive left fielder. The lesser talked about part of Dominguez’s game is his baserunning, in his last full season, in 2023, he stole 41 bases in 126 games between Double-A, Triple-A, and the Majors. I think next season he could be good for at least 30 steals.
C Austin Wells
Wells’ rookie campaign in 2024 went about as well as it could’ve. He placed 3rd in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Baltimore’s Colton Cowser and his teammate and battery mate Luis Gil. Almost all of the questions in Wells’ game were cleared up last year. Wells coming into last year still had some uncertainty defensively, as some were uncertain if he would remain behind the plate long term. He answered those questions and more, being one of the best defensive catchers in baseball and being in the top end of the league in terms of framing. This development led the Yankees to feel comfortable trading Jose Trevino this offseason. Wells is one of the better offensive catchers in baseball as well. Having really good power especially at Yankee Stadium. He has also shown a good ability to get on base and limit strikeouts. And in a more stunning development, will be the Yankees leadoff hitter to start 2025. I believe Wells can reach another level offensively with the adjustments he made over the offseason, we’re talking about a guy who could hit 25-30 home runs and have an elite walk rate.
C/1B/DH Ben Rice
Rice despite some not great counting stats, had a solid rookie campaign last year. Enough to show the Yankees organization that he could handle a full season at the MLB level. And with injuries to Giancarlo Stanton, Rice is gonna an extended run in the majors as the Yankees primary designated hitter. Rice has a great mixture of power and plate discipline. He set career highs in exit velocity during Spring Training, something that could bode exceptionally well for him going forward as he enters his first full big league season. Rice generates high exit velocities with great game power from the left side, the main hole in his game offensively is the 27% strikeout rate he ran last year, but I think if he stays around that area, he can be very successful. The reason why? Rice was very unlucky last year, Holding a BABIP of just .186, if that improves, we could be looking at a firmly above average bat, and in the bottom third of the Yankees order could be an unsung hero for them this upcoming season.
RHP Will Warren
Warren got a taste of major league action last season, in his major league debut, he showed that he has a future in the majors. Against a potent Phillies lineup, Warren went 5.1 innings, striking out 6, walking 2, and giving up 4 earned runs. A statline you’ll definitely take against one of the best teams in baseball in your major league debut. Warren lost out on the rotation battle last spring, which went to Luis Gil. But Warren has shown this year that he deserves the spot, and he got it. Warren’s arsenal will allow him to be very successful at the Major League Level. Warren often gets compared to former Yankees starter Michael King, who flourished as a starter in his last few months with the Yankees before being dealt to San Diego in the Juan Soto deal. Warren, like King, had a profile consisting of a sinker/sweeper combo, and also gets a lot of soft contact resulting in ground balls. Warren and King also have a very similar pitching motion, which only made the comparison seem even more accurate. Warren is a big part of the Yankees plans in the rotation this season, and I believe that he will have a place on this team for years to come.
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