Jasson Dominguez has the talent. That much isn’t in question. But as the Yankees gear up for the 2026 season, the bigger question is: where exactly does he fit?
Right now, the answer isn’t clear - and that’s not necessarily a knock on Dominguez. It’s more a reflection of just how crowded the Yankees’ outfield and designated hitter spots have become.
New York brought back Cody Bellinger and added Trent Grisham to the mix. Aaron Judge, of course, isn’t going anywhere.
And Giancarlo Stanton is locked in as the everyday DH. That’s four players for three spots, and none of them are likely to be riding the bench anytime soon.
So where does that leave Dominguez? For now, on the outside looking in.
He’s still just 23, and the tools that made him a top prospect - the power, the speed, the bat speed that turns heads - are all still there. But his path to consistent playing time is blocked, and unless injuries shake things up, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has already made it clear: Dominguez probably won’t be getting a full-time role to start the season.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a young player who made his debut with a bang and has been waiting for a real shot ever since. Last season, Dominguez got a taste of the big leagues, but not the kind of extended run that allows a player to settle in and show what he can do over time. And this year, the runway looks even shorter.
It’s not just Dominguez feeling the squeeze. Power-hitting outfield prospect Spencer Jones is slotted behind him on the depth chart and seems destined to start the season in Triple-A. That’s how deep the Yankees’ outfield pool has become - a logjam of talent, with only so many innings to go around.
For the Yankees, this is what you might call a high-class problem. Too much talent is always better than not enough, especially over the course of a 162-game season where injuries and slumps are inevitable. But depth only works if it’s managed the right way - and that includes keeping young players like Dominguez engaged, confident, and ready to contribute when their number is called.
Because make no mistake: at some point this season, the Yankees are going to need Jasson Dominguez. Whether it’s a spot start, an injury replacement, or a second-half surge, his moment will come. And when it does, the Yankees will be counting on him to deliver - even if his road to that moment is bumpier than expected.
For now, though, it’s a waiting game. Not the start Dominguez was hoping for, but the story’s far from over.