New York Yankees fans aren’t hiding their early concerns about top outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez.
Dominguez, the Yankees’ consensus No. 1 prospect, entered spring training as the left field favorite. Juan Soto’s departure and Giancarlo Stanton’s lingering absence only put more pressure on the 22-year-old Dominguez.
So far, not so good.
Dominguez owns a .200 average and two RBI in his first four spring training games. The early offensive struggles come after he hit a measly .179 with 19 strikeouts in 67 plate appearances last year.
However, Dominguez’s defense is far more concerning. Dominguez misplayed and subsequently dropped a fly ball Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing Edmundo Sosa to reach base on a double.
Another tough play for Jasson Dominguez in left field: pic.twitter.com/y4Z011aa9h
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 27, 2025
“I got a good route,” Dominguez told reporters, according to the New York Post. “I jumped to catch it. I reached for it. The ball touched my glove, and it came out.”
It was always unrealistic to believe Dominguez would immediately burst onto the scene, crush opposing pitches into the right field seats, and pull off incredible catches. He’s a 22-year-old learning a new position for an aspiring World Series contender.
Yankees fans know that side of the argument. However, it’s clear their patience is running thin as Opening Day nears.
“He struggles to read the ball off the bat, hopefully with more time though he can be passable,” one Reddit user wrote. “I wouldn’t count on him ever being a [Gold Glove] or even plus defender though.”
“Correct fielding is not his strong suit,” another commented.
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez
Dave Nelson-Imagn Images
Although the Yankees signed Dominguez as a center fielder in 2019, he began learning left field in 2023. Dominguez played 13 of his 16 big-league games last year in left.
“He’s got to be a generational – and like, seriously, GENERATIONAL – bat if his defense is consistently this bad,” one commenter posted. “Routine plays that become baserunners, strain pitchers, and eventually become runs…those cost games.”
“Definitely worried about Jasson’s defense in left,” added one user. “He just doesn’t look comfortable out there. Yikes!”
Another poster kept things simple.
“I am scared,” they wrote.