The Yankees are calling up outfield prospect Jasson Domínguez, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Catching prospect Austin Wells will be promoted as well, per Greg Joyce and Joel Sherman of The New York Post. Both looming promotions were reported on earlier today. Neither player is on the 40-man roster but the Yanks already opened a couple of spots by releasing Josh Donaldson and Spencer Howard. Active rosters expand from 26 to 28 on Friday.
Domínguez, 20, was a much-hyped prospect even before joining the affiliated ranks, signing for a huge $5.1MM bonus in 2019 that accounted for the vast majority of the Yankees’ bonus pool that year. “The Martian” has since climbed the ranks of the minor leagues, showcasing the potential to be an all-around contributor.
After some tepid results in 2021, the switch-hitter went through three different levels last year, going from Single-A to High-A and Double-A. In 120 total games, he hit 16 home runs and stole 20 bases. He struck out in 24.2% of his plate appearances but also walked at a 13.6% rate. His .273/.375/.461 batting line amounted to a wRC+ of 135, indicating he was 35% above average. This year, he hit .254/.367/.414 in 109 Double-A games for a 117 wRC+. His 25.6% strikeout rate is on the high side but he’s also walked at a 15.2% clip and stolen 37 bases. He was recently promoted to Triple-A and mashed in eight games there.
Defensively, Domínguez is a center fielder, though there’s much debate among prospect evaluators as to whether he’s a long-term fit there. Even if he has to move to a corner, he’s considered to have the arm strength necessary to be viable in right, though that would put more pressure on his bat than if he were to stick in center. Domínguez is currently ranked the #60 prospect in the league at Baseball America, #34 at FanGraphs, #78 at MLB Pipeline, #16 at ESPN and got the #27 spot from Keith Law of The Athletic.
Wells, 24, was a first-round pick of the Yanks in 2020, getting selected 28th overall. He’s considered a bat-first catcher, hitting left-handed, though many evaluators think he’s elevated his defensive reputation as he’s approached the majors.
He’s played in 95 games this year across three different minor league levels, hitting 17 home runs in that time and walking in 11.1% of his plate appearances. His combined slash of .243/.335/.447 amounts to a wRC+ of 105 and he also stole seven bases. BA considers him the #81 prospect in the league. He didn’t crack any of the other four aforementioned lists, though ESPN lists him as a “late cut” on their midseason update, which was capped at 50 names.
The Yankees are 64-68 and 11 games out of a playoff spot with just over a month left on the schedule. They have clearly shifted from contention mode, placing outfielder Harrison Bader on waivers this week, willing to essentially give him away for cost savings. They will use what is left of the season to evaluate some of their younger players, having recently promoted Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza, with Domínguez and Wells now joining them.
Assuming Bader is claimed off waivers tomorrow, it’s possible Domínguez gets to finish the year as the club’s regular center fielder, with the Yanks taking that time to evaluate him before deciding how to proceed this winter. Behind the plate, Jose Trevino is out for the season due to wrist surgery. The club has been using Kyle Higashioka and Ben Rortvedt as their catching duo lately but Wells will presumably take some of their playing time the rest of the way.
Neither player will have enough time to exhaust their rookie eligibility here in 2023, meaning they will still be rookies in 2024. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the prospect promotion incentive can potentially provide extra draft picks to clubs who promote top prospects for an entire year of service time. To qualify, a player must be on two of the Top 100 lists at BA, ESPN and MLB Pipeline in the preceding offseason and then earn a full year of service time as a rookie. If they win Rookie of the Year or finish in the top three in MVP voting during pre-arbitration seasons, the parent club earns an extra draft pick in the following season just after the first round. Wells may or may not be in that camp, depending on how the offseason lists shake out, but Domínguez seems like a lock to have PPI status next year.
Though it’s undoubtedly been a disappointing season in the Bronx, fans will be able get a glimpse at some things to be excited about for future seasons, as they watch some players who could perhaps help the Yankees in future seasons.
Speechless, eh?
Oh we got ourselves a couple wiseguys, huh? Cat got your tongues? Why I outta…
I miss Josh Donaldson already, and I can’t believe they didn’t let him go on a goodbye farewell tour.
Donaldson did get farewell. The ‘Farewell Tour’ was by subway, nobody’s seen him since.
This comment made me laugh, although I can’t see Mr. Donaldson riding the subway.b
It’s exciting for them to come up, but at the same time, way too early. Wells seems more ready than Dominguez. We’ll see.
You think the past 6-8 weeks has been a mirage?
He signed in 2019? He would have been 16 at the time. He must be some kind of phenom.
The Martian Baby!!!
Love it
Good job. Let these kids get some experience and let’s see what they have. All eyes on 2024.
Excited to see how this goes. Jasson has as much experience with AAA as Volpe did. I have a feeling Dominguez will adjust quicker.
Hopefully it is a good sign that Dominguez AAA numbers were astronomically higher than Volpe’s
About time
“About time”
Yeah shouldve been up at least 5 years ago.
WOW!!!! Where’s our Yankee fellas at let’s go dudes! Something for u guys to cheer for. I am pumped to tune in
TY kind sir 🙂
The Martian has landed!!
Home run headline! Cheers mate, best of luck.
So you’re saying this is the day the earth stood still?
Nice work, Yanks. Promote some kids, see whatcha got! (Hat tip)
I guess I’ll actually have to start watching the Yankees again. Seeing the kids can’t be any worse than the clown show that’s been on the field for most of the year
Wow. I guess I’ll be watching the final few games if the season?
Actually excited by the Yankees again?
This was the right move- even if just as entertainment, with increased competitiveness as a potential plus.
Dominguez will be the biggest bust ever. Hes basically a Victor Robles clone except with more hype
Bigger bust than Gary Sanchez? I think not
@Yanks2 Sanchez was not hyped as much as Dominguez. Good comparison though
Clint Frazier, Gary Sanchez, Jesus Montero, Nick Johnson, Ruben Rivera, Hensley Bam Bam Meulens, Kevin Maas, Dan Pasqua
Nick Johnson? 123 OPS+ in 3300 PAs Nick Johnson?
yes, Nick Johnson!!! 3300 days on the DL Nick Johnson.
Will be watching as well!!
Bring all the youngsters up. Get Judge a firstbaseman’s mitt and see ya in ’24!!
Whatever happened to earning it? No offense to Jasson but his number’s definitely do not justify a promotion to the ml club. Sell tickets move if I ever saw one
Not a big deal. IKF and McKinney are goners next season. How else do they sustain high payrolls? Give Dominguez a shot at the show now rather than pre-emptively sign a Kevin Kiermaier (or Bader 2.0) for next season.
What?? Please check out his AAA numbers for the month as he has destroyed AAA pitching! Volpe has not come close to his production in his limited time in AAA and looked over matched at times. IMO the experience will be great for him and only thing that sets him back is trying too hard or the adrenaline. I predict he will be patrolling CF no later than June 1st of 2024 or sooner and dont be surprised if he makes the team out of ST.
8 games. Worst come back ever.
Slay, Queen. Vladdie mvp. Let’s go!!!!
Yanks still need to clear a 40-man roster space; Donaldson was on the 60-day IL when he was released, so he didn’t count toward the 40-man anyway. They’re probably waiting for Bader to be taken off of waivers to make room. Bringing up Wells means bye-bye to Rortvedt too.
After releasing Spencer Howard they were at 38. Rortvedt has options but I doubt he gets sent down. Wells will probably DH.
Even with Bader still intact, Yankees 40 man roster was at 38, enough to add Jasson and Wells.
I didn’t even know the yanks fired Josh Donaldson.
We’ve seen this scenario play out over and over. Yankees overhype their prospects only to fail and get DFA or put on waivers. Even as a Yankee fan, I feel Dominguez will be another Gary Sanchez (45 HR but bats .175)
See Volpe, Anthony and Judge, Aaron.
We Yankees fans have been trying to tell the front office how to do things for a long time. Cutting some fat to clear a path for new faces really looks as if someone finally listened. The team has needed youth, players that don’t get hurt all the time. the team has needed everything left handed, both batters and pitchers. With Wells’ LH bat and Dominguez’s SH bat coming up, and Spencer Jones’s LH bat maybe a year away, this is hope! Maybe they can bring in Blake Snell and/or Josh Hader in the off season. I can’t dream of the team relying on Clay Holmes to hold leads much longer.
The young players will need time and patience from the fans. Let’s go Yanks.
the shrinking judge/cole window has forced the yankees into a “rush rebuild”
i’m ready for my extraterrestrial encounter!
Dominguez stole 37 bases last year, not 20.
He has 39 so far this year.
Yankees all in on the kids. Might as well be.
Baby bombers 2.0
They will probably flop just like all the other recent Yankee rookies. Their prospects are heavily overrated.
Worst front office in MLB.
Second worst.
Lolmets
I would even consider Sweeny. Yankees could use another Lefty to balance that lineup. Sweeny. I hope Yankees don’t sign Matt Chapman this off season they don’t need another righty. Still think Yankees needed Seager. Seager in pinstripes could of been special.
bUt vOlPe?
This is it. This is the 2024 team.
Pereira, Dominguez Judge Left to right.
DJ at third, Volpe, Torres Rizzo. Wells/Higgy tandem. Stanton DH
Cabrera and Peraza utility bench players.
Lot of losses for that team. Pereira looks like he’s wearing a blindfold at the plate, as does Peraza. Cabrera has had over a year now to show that he can’t hit major league pitching and isn’t a particularly good fielder either. Dominguez has struck out 25% of the time in AA. To think he’ll be any different than the rest of the call-ups is pretty premature.
If they fail in 2024 with that team then you fire Cashman. Simple.
Cashman should be fired now. The roster was garbage, the highly-touted prospects in the farm system don’t pan out, the entire system is gone under his watch.
I mean if Dominguez, Volpe, Wells, and Peraza work out, then he should get credit for that
Dominguez struck out in a quarter of plate appearances at AA. Peraza and Periera look absolutely overmatched so far. Cabrera has been all year. Volpe barely bats .200. The Yankee farm system is broken. They develop no offensive talent.