Jasson Dominguez key contributor in Yankees win…
BOSTON — To some scouts, Jasson Domínguez appears to be like like an NFL defensive back.
Lately, he’s been taking part in about as often as one.
Each of the past three Saturdays, the 22-year-old has been in the lineup — and that’s it.
It occurred again in the second sport of the key Yankees collection against Boston, with Domínguez in left subject at Fenway Park.
He had a single and a stroll in a 5-3 win, but Domínguez’s largest contribution to the win got here in the underside of the second, when he threw out Nate Eaton at third base on an ill-advised attempt to advance on Nick Sogard’s single to left with no one out.
“He did a good job squaring his body up and making sure he was accurate,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the throw. “That was a big play.”
Jasson Domínguez has performed sparingly in latest weeks. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
There haven’t been many recently on either aspect of the ball this season from Domínguez, and that’s not what many people anticipated when he signed as an worldwide free agent out of the Dominican Republic for over $5 million in 2019 and was shortly nicknamed The Martian because of his distinctive ability set.
Domínguez’s repute grew when he homered 4 occasions in his first seven video games after being called up to the majors two years in the past this month.
But it’s largely been a wrestle since.
Asked if the strain of the highlight — and the moniker — that has been a half of his profession since he was 16 has performed a issue in his development, Domínguez said, “I don’t think it’s made it harder for me. There are expectations I have to fulfill, but I’m harder on myself because I know I have more in the tank. I like the nickname. I wouldn’t change it.”
For now, though, when the Yankees are at their healthiest, they like Cody Bellinger in left, Trent Grisham in heart and Aaron Judge in proper, with Giancarlo Stanton as the DH, leaving the switch-hitting and defensively challenged Domínguez and right-handed Austin Slater as spare outfield choices.
And even with Judge restricted defensively as he comes back from a strained flexor in his proper elbow, Domínguez is usually caught on the bench.
“That’s the problem of where we’re at proper now in the season,’’ Boone said of Domínguez’s lack of taking part in time, partially a product of Grisham’s emergence this yr as an offensive risk.
It’s the second straight yr Domínguez has discovered himself in a comparable spot, with Alex Verdugo getting the bulk of time in left subject down the stretch and in the playoffs a yr in the past.
And then in Friday’s win, Domínguez made an out on the bases when he pinch ran for Stanton in the top of the eighth and ran into a grounder hit by Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Domínguez and Boone are assured he can succeed in what he’s doing now.
“Right now, we need to just win and get to the postseason,’’ Domínguez said. “I can’t be selfish about myself. I have to do what’s best for the team. It’s kind of the same as last year and I understand it. Last year, I wanted to play, but I also understood it.”
He stays the youngest participant on the 40-man roster by more than two years and believes he’ll live up to the hype.
“I’ve been around and people have recognized who I used to be since I signed when I used to be 16, so I believe followers have those expectations and they need to see it,’’ Domínguez said. “I do know I’ve that in me and may be a great participant down the highway. It’s all half of the method. I’m still studying. That’s not an excuse. I’m getting used to what I’ve to do right here and I still imagine in myself, undoubtedly.’’
And he’s not the only one.
“I know for myself, you learn through failure,’’ Bellinger said. “I failed a ton of times wherever I was [on the field]… He’s doing a good job evolving into a player.”
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