The New York Yankees are turning to their top prospect as they look to secure an AL East title.
The Yankees announced Monday that they have recalled outfielder Jasson Dominguez from triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. In corresponding moves, New York placed infielders Jon Berti and DJ LeMahieu on the injured list and designated pitcher Anthony Misiewicz for assignment.
Dominguez has been considered one of the most promising prospects in baseball since signing for $5.1 million as an international free agent with the Yankees in 2019.
MLB Pipeline ranks the switch-hitting outfielder as the No. 16 prospect in all of baseball, calling his signature “his prodigious power.”
The 21-year-old made his MLB debut last season, hitting four home runs in eight games on his way to a .980 OPS. Unfortunately, he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery that kept him from cracking the Yankees roster this season.
In 58 minor-league games this year, Dominguez is slashing .314/.376/.504 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs.
Dominguez was recalled as New York’s 27th man for a game against the Detroit Tigers in mid-August. Facing Al Cy Young frontrunner Tarik Skubal, Dominguez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
When rosters expanded earlier this month, and the Yankees didn’t recall Dominguez, general manager Brian Cashman was questioned about the decision to keep his top prospect in the minors.
“Jasson’s doing everything he needs to do right now, and Verdugo’s playing obviously better baseball recently,” Cashman said Friday. “So the evaluations that we’re having with our field staff and player development staff and front office staff is just what is going to give us the best chance to win, and as of right now, we’re staying pat with what we’ve got, but we’re always in the position to change our minds at some point, too.”
Cashman added that if New York was to recall Dominguez, it would be in an everyday role rather than as a bench piece.
The Yankees entered play Monday with the top record in the AL East with an 82-61 record, half a game up on the Baltimore Orioles.
They are set to begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at 7:05 p.m. ET / 5:05 p.m. PT. You can catch the action on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet+.
— With files from The Associated Press