Yankees Face Spring Training Dilemma with Jasson Dominguez Amid Crowded Outfield
As the Yankees gear up for Spring Training in Tampa, one of the most intriguing storylines isn’t about who’s locked into a roster spot-it’s about who might be left out. Jasson Dominguez, the highly touted 23-year-old outfielder, finds himself at the center of a roster logjam, and the front office isn’t hiding the complexity of the situation.
Speaking from George M. Steinbrenner Field, general manager Brian Cashman made it clear: Dominguez’s long-term development might outweigh the immediate appeal of having him on the Opening Day roster. And with the Yankees’ outfield suddenly flush with veterans, the path to everyday big-league reps is anything but clear.
Let’s break it down.
Dominguez’s 2025: Solid, But Not Unquestionable
Dominguez wrapped up last season with a .257 average, a .719 OPS, 29 extra-base hits, and 23 stolen bases. That’s a well-rounded stat line for a rookie, good enough to finish 13th in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. He showed flashes of the dynamic skillset that made him one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory-speed, gap power, and a growing feel for the game at the plate.
But here’s the rub: the Yankees didn’t sit still this offseason. They brought back Cody Bellinger, a proven bat and glove, and retained Trent Grisham on a qualifying offer. That’s two more names in an already crowded outfield picture, and neither is coming to camp expecting to be a bench piece.
Cashman: “Everyday Reps” Are Key
Cashman didn’t mince words when asked about Dominguez’s role heading into camp.
“I would concede it's in his best interest to be getting everyday reps,” he said. “We'll just have to wait and see how the spring shakes out, who's standing, and then we'll make the appropriate decisions when we have our meetings close to the end of camp.”
Translation: The Yankees aren’t ruling anything out, but they’re leaning toward prioritizing consistent playing time for Dominguez-even if that means starting the season in Triple-A Scranton.
And that’s not necessarily a knock on Dominguez. It’s a reflection of roster math. The Yankees are deep in the outfield, and unless someone underperforms or an injury opens a door, there might not be enough at-bats to go around in the Bronx.
The Development vs. Production Debate
This is where things get tricky. Dominguez is at a pivotal point in his career. He’s shown he can hang at the MLB level, but he’s also young enough that regular reps-seeing live pitching every day, working through slumps, refining his approach-still matter.
If he stays with the big club and only sees sporadic playing time, that development curve could flatten. On the flip side, sending him to Triple-A could frustrate fans hungry to see “The Martian” take off in pinstripes, especially if he tears it up in camp.
This isn’t just about talent. It’s about timing, opportunity, and managing a roster for the long haul. The Yankees have to ask themselves: what’s best for Dominguez now, and what’s best for the team six months from now?
What to Watch This Spring
The next few weeks will be telling. If Dominguez comes out hot-raking in Grapefruit League games, showing improved plate discipline, and continuing to flash that electric athleticism-he could force the Yankees’ hand. In baseball, performance has a way of cutting through the noise.
But if the veterans hold serve and Dominguez looks like a player still ironing out the final wrinkles in his game, the conservative move may win out.
There’s no denying the upside here. Dominguez has the tools to be a cornerstone player. But the Yankees are playing the long game-and right now, that might mean a temporary detour through Scranton.
Stay tuned. This is one Spring Training storyline that’s far from settled.