Otherworldly, the Martian, the following Mickey Mantle or just Mike Trout: These are the designations that have been broadcast throughout the baseball world about Jasson Dominguez when he inked a franchise-record worldwide contract with the Yankees.
In 2019, the Bombers signed Dominguez — who was arguably the highest-touted worldwide prospect in MLB historical past — to a contract with a $5.1 million signing bonus. Talent evaluators throughout the baseball business have been bullish on the eye-popping instruments of the Dominican native with rankings as excessive because the No. 32 prospect within the sport — in accordance with MLB Pipeline — with out even stepping foot on a minor-league diamond.
“I don’t really think [the expectations are] fair.” Kevin Reese advised reporters within the Spring of 2021. “It’s hard to help him manage those expectations because he’s not going to show up tomorrow and perform like Mike Trout or Aaron Judge.”
The present-day analysis has fewer whispers of Mantle and Trout, and Dominguez’s Hall of Fame plaque has been placed on maintain. Entering the 2023 season, MLB Pipeline has the 19-year-old checked in because the No. 47 prospect in baseball.
Despite the luster of a traditionally anticipated prospect carrying a bit, there are nonetheless loads of causes to dream on the instruments nonetheless in possession of the centerfield prospect.
Dominguez performed at three-different minor league ranges in 2022 — which was his first full minor league season — and seemingly obtained higher as he climbed up the latter. His slash line between Low-A, High-A and Double-A registered at .273/.376/.461 with 16 homers and 59 RBI in 120 video games.
Once he reached Double-A Somerset, the outfielder performed simply 5 common season video games earlier than setting the world on hearth throughout the postseason. “The Martian” hit .450/.560/.950 with three homers and 10 RBI in 5 video games together with a 3-4 efficiency with homers from either side of the plate within the championship sport all however guaranteeing his spot at Double-A to start 2023.
Dominguez was granted the chance to place his skills on show for a nationwide viewers as he was named to the MLB Futures Game in 2022 — alongside fellow Yankee farmhand Anthony Volpe who batted fourth for the American League squad — at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles and gave them one thing price watching by blasting a 415-foot homer from the best facet registering at 107-mph off of the bat.
Despite the flash, there are various parts to his sport that also must be developed together with the in-game energy which is one thing that the Bombers are nonetheless ready to shine by on a extra constant bases. The switch-hitter recurrently registers exit velocities over 100 mph even reaching as excessive as 117 mph in a sim sport again in 2021 as an 18-year-old which ends up in excessive raw-power grades by evaluators.
A sizzling matter of debate is the quantity of mass the younger outfielder has placed on his body and what meaning for his velocity and talent to stay in middle area long-term. However, Dominguez stole 37 bases in 44 makes an attempt final season indicating that the legs of the younger outfielder are nonetheless very current — though it’s essential to acknowledge the organization-wide enhance in stolen base makes an attempt and emphasis on baserunning all through the Yankees system.
Defensively, there are combined evaluations on whether or not Dominguez will even be a middle fielder when it’s all stated and executed, because the nook outfield spots could also be extra suited to his body.
From MLB pipeline: “His play in center field draws mixed reviews, with some evaluators believing he’ll remain up the middle and others thinking his defensive inconsistencies will drive him to a corner. With his solid-to-plus arm strength and offensive promise, he’d have no problem profiling well in right field.”
As at all times, time will inform and it’s essential to contemplate the timeline when making observations relating to the prospect. Dominguez was the youngest participant on Double-A Somerset’s roster by nearly two years and has only one full season {of professional} baseball beneath his belt the place he completed simply two steps away from the Bronx.
There are loads of alternatives for Dominguez to try for on the main league stage. As it stands the Yanks at the moment should not have a set reply in left area subsequent season or past and present middle fielder Harrison Bader is a free agent after the 2023 season. Should the switch-hitter transfer as shortly by the minors this upcoming season as he did final 12 months, the Martian may contact down within the Bronx as quickly as 2024.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com