Jasson Domínguez Faces Triple-A Reality as Yankees Prioritize Defense, Readiness
For years now, Yankees fans have been dreaming of the day Jasson Domínguez-nicknamed “The Martian” for his otherworldly potential-would arrive in the Bronx and stay. But as we approach spring training, that dream is being put on pause.
The latest indications out of the Bronx suggest that Domínguez, once considered a lock for the fourth outfield spot, is more likely to start the 2026 season in Triple-A Scranton. In his place?
Spencer Jones, the 6-foot-7 athletic marvel who looks more and more like the Yankees' left fielder of the present.
This isn’t a position battle as much as it is a decision already made. According to a recent report, unless something unexpected happens, Domínguez is “ticketed for Triple-A.” And when you look at the numbers and the situation, it’s not hard to see why.
Defensive Concerns Are Driving the Decision
Let’s start with the glove. Yankee Stadium’s left field is no joke-it’s spacious, it demands range, and it punishes hesitation.
Right now, the Yankees simply don’t trust Domínguez to handle it. Last season, he ranked in the 3rd percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA), a defensive metric that essentially tells you how much ground a player is covering.
That number puts him among the worst in the league. For a team with World Series aspirations, that’s a risk they can’t afford to take.
Spencer Jones, on the other hand, looks like he was built in a lab to patrol that exact patch of grass. He’s long, fast, and covers ground with ease. Even if his bat comes with a few more strikeouts, his defense and base running give the Yankees a higher floor-especially early in the season when every game counts.
Development vs. Readiness
General Manager Brian Cashman has pointed to injuries and development time as reasons for Domínguez’s slow progression. “He wasn’t playing.
I could have sent him to Triple-A,” Cashman said, explaining why Domínguez stayed with the big-league club last season in a limited role. “He provided the chance for us to run into something off the bench… But I still think there’s some upside there.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. Domínguez was used more as a pinch-runner than a full-fledged contributor, a role you don’t usually assign to a player you see as a future cornerstone. And while he did offer speed off the bench, the reluctance to put him in the field speaks volumes.
The Right-Handed Hitting Gap
Manager Aaron Boone added another layer to the conversation, pointing out a key developmental issue: Domínguez’s struggles hitting from the right side. “We’re talking about a very, very young player that didn’t play a ton of Minor League baseball,” Boone said.
“And what suffers from that? The side you don’t hit from as much.”
Boone remains hopeful that Domínguez’s natural right-handed swing will eventually catch up to his more polished left-handed side. But that kind of growth takes time-and at this point, time is a luxury the Yankees don’t really have.
The team is built to win now. And while Boone left the door open-“We have a long time to go… You never know what’s going to come down the pike”-the reality is clear: Spencer Jones helps this team win games in April. Domínguez, for all his potential, needs more reps and more refinement.
The Bottom Line
This is a baseball decision, plain and simple. It might not be the one that moves merchandise or lights up social media, but it’s the one that gives the Yankees the best chance to win games out of the gate.
Domínguez needs consistent at-bats-about 500 of them-in Triple-A to work on his right-handed swing and rebuild confidence in the outfield. Until that happens, the Bronx will have to wait.
Spencer Jones is ready. Jasson Domínguez isn’t-yet. And for a team with championship ambitions, that distinction matters.