Yankees Fans Criticize Top Prospect Amid Spring Training Struggles
New York Yankees supporters are voicing their early concerns about standout outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez.
Dominguez, widely regarded as the Yankees’ top prospect, entered spring training as the leading candidate for the left field role. With Juan Soto’s departure and Giancarlo Stanton’s ongoing absence, the 22-year-old faces mounting pressure.
So far, things haven’t gone well.
Dominguez is hitting .200 with two RBI through his first four spring training games. These early struggles follow a disappointing .179 average with 19 strikeouts in 67 plate appearances last season.
However, his defense is even more troubling. On Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, Dominguez misjudged a fly ball and dropped it, allowing Edmundo Sosa to reach second base.
“I got a good read,” Dominguez told reporters, per the New York Post. “I jumped to catch it, reached for it, the ball hit my glove, and it slipped out.”
It was never realistic to expect Dominguez to immediately dominate at the plate, launch home runs into right field, and make highlight-reel catches. At 22, he’s adapting to a new position on a team with championship aspirations.
Yankees fans understand that argument. However, as Opening Day approaches, their patience is wearing thin.
“He struggles tracking the ball off the bat, but hopefully with more time, he can be decent,” one Reddit user wrote. “I wouldn’t expect him to be a [Gold Glove] or even an above-average defender.”
“Proper fielding isn’t his strength,” another fan added.
Although Dominguez was signed as a center fielder in 2019, he only began transitioning to left field in 2023. Last season, he played 13 of his 16 major league games in left.
“He has to be a truly generational bat—like, seriously GENERATIONAL—if his defense stays this bad,” one fan posted. “Routine misplays lead to baserunners, pressure pitchers, and turn into runs… that loses games.”
“Definitely concerned about Jasson’s defense in left,” another user chimed in. “He just doesn’t look comfortable out there. Yikes!”