“The Martian” has landed with a bang, just one step away from the majors.
Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez, officially promoted earlier Tuesday, went 3-for-6 with a double and three RBIs in his first game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, a 14-1 win over Lehigh Valley, the Phillies’ affiliate.
Dominguez stepped into a Triple-A outfield in which Everson Pereira is no longer roaming.
Pereira and infielder Oswald Peraza were called up to the majors Tuesday and joined the roster for their 2-1 loss to the Nationals in The Bronx.
The Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, Dominguez has reached the doorstep of the majors before he can legally drink.
The Yankees are promoting outfielder Jasson Dominguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe 20-year-old had gotten off to a slow start with Double-A Somerset, and was hitting just .198 (albeit with a .341 on-base percentage) with 10 home runs in his first 73 games.
But beginning on July 8, Dominguez tore up Eastern League pitching.
In his last 35 games with Somerset, the switch-hitter hit .351 with five home runs, 15 steals and a .961 OPS.
“Playing against in a lot of ways older competition, more savvy, nuanced things at Triple-A — it’s the next step for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before his club lost its ninth straight game. “Put together a really good Double-A season and really of late over the last month, playing really well.
“It was important to get him to there as he continues to be a guy also knocking on the door.”
Dominguez, a natural center fielder who has gotten looks in left this year, was one of the most hyped prospects ever to come out of the Dominican Republic.
Dominguez is the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostWith his out-of-this-world nickname and comparisons to Mickey Mantle, Dominguez was signed for a franchise-record $5.1 million in 2019.
It probably is too late for Dominguez to help the Yankees this season, but he is now one call away — and might be positioned to compete for a major league job next year during spring training. The Yankees have long lacked a solid left fielder, and center fielder Harrison Bader will be a free agent.
“We’ll see. I think anything’s possible,” Boone said of the possibility of Dominguez cracking the roster coming out of spring training next season. “That’s a long way from now. … He’s certainly now pushing to the upper levels of the minor leagues and with his talent — certainly is an interesting player.”
Calling up Peraza and Pereira and proclaiming both prospects will see everyday playing time will create some lineup casualties.
The Yankees signed Dominguez in 2019 for $5.1 million. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostBoone said he has talked with “some individuals” whose playing time will be affected by the presence of two of the club’s top prospects, including Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
The utilityman recently had found a home at third base, because Josh Donaldson was hurt and DJ LeMahieu had shifted to first base because of Anthony Rizzo’s injury.
While Peraza will move around a bit and could spell Anthony Volpe occasionally at shortstop, he most often will be found at third.
“Obviously that impacts Isiah a little bit. Izzy has played really well for us,” Boone said of Kiner-Falefa, who is a rare Yankees hitter performing roughly to expectations. “He’s one of those guys that I’ve talked with a little bit.
“The good thing about Izzy is he’s got a lot of versatility now, and obviously experience playing all over the diamond.
News of Dominguez being promoted comes one day after Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza learned they are heading to The Bronx. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostSo there’ll continue to be opportunities, but without question, Everson, Oswald coming up impacts him a little bit.”
In the Yankees’ first lineup with their two new call-ups, Jake Bauers also took a seat.
Pereira will be penciled into left field every day, so the 27-year-old Bauers, who has been a decent find, likely will play less often, though he should see some time at first base as long as Rizzo is sidelined.
Most affected by the promotions, though, were the players who had to go to create space on the roster.
Fourth outfielder, late-game pinch-runner and defensive replacement Greg Allen was designated for assignment.
Another outfielder, Billy McKinney, was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) with left lower back spasms.
Boone said McKinney first felt the discomfort while sliding into a base in Miami and felt it again “a couple days ago” both sliding and at the plate.
“It has gotten better, but it’s lingered enough to be a little bit of an issue,” Boone said.
Rizzo did some drills in the outfield and took ground balls at first base before the loss.
Boone said the first baseman, recovering from what the club believes was a concussion, will be reevaluated in the next seven-to-10 days before deciding upon the next step.
Jonathan Loaisiga pitched a perfect seventh inning and has retired 19 of 20 batters faced since returning from the IL on Aug. 7.
Rapper Ja Rule was on the field before the game and chatted with Aaron Judge for several minutes.






