The New York Yankees have a storied history of exceptional switch-hitters, from legends like Mickey Mantle to the likes of Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, and Mark Teixeira. But let's be honest, mastering the art of switch-hitting is no small feat.
It requires honing not one, but two distinct swings-a challenge that Jasson Dominguez, known as "The Martian," is all too familiar with. While he can hit from both sides of the plate, Dominguez has shown a clear preference for facing right-handed pitchers as a lefty.
Last season, Dominguez posted a 103 wRC+ in the majors, but the numbers tell a tale of two hitters. Against right-handers, he boasted a solid 116 wRC+, yet struggled with a mere 63 wRC+ when batting right-handed against lefties. Over his career, the disparity is even more pronounced: 122 versus righties, and just 55 against lefties.
Making Strides
The Yankees' decision to send Dominguez to Triple-A was driven by three key factors. First, the team's outfield depth is nothing short of impressive, featuring stars like Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton, and Randal Grichuk. With such talent on the roster, there simply isn’t room for Dominguez, and consistent playing time in Scranton will serve him better.
Second, Dominguez's defense in the outfield has been a work in progress. Last season, he occasionally appeared lost, and the Yankees are prioritizing players like Bellinger, Grisham, and Judge for their reliable defense as well as their bats.
The third factor is Dominguez's ongoing struggle against left-handed pitching. However, there's a silver lining: the young slugger has been making noticeable strides this spring. His defensive routes are improving, and while it's early, any progress in the field is a win, especially given his previous -7 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and -10 Outs Above Average (OAA) in under 800 innings.
Spring Improvements Vs. Lefties
Dominguez has also shown promise against left-handed pitching this spring. Sure, spring training stats should be taken with caution, but his performance against top southpaw Framber Valdez was encouraging.
Greg Joyce from the New York Post highlighted Dominguez's resilience: “Another good day for Jasson Domínguez, even after getting the news he was optioned last night: Two hits from the right side off lefty Framber Valdez, including a triple.”
This spring, Dominguez is slashing .357/.424/.643 against righties, and his numbers against lefties-.333/.333/.667-are just as impressive, featuring a homer and a triple.
His time in Triple-A will be a crucial test to see if these improvements are genuine or just a spring training mirage. If Dominguez can continue to progress, especially against lefties, don't be surprised if he's back in the Bronx sooner rather than later.