Jasson Dominguez’s current struggles could lead to a long-term benefit.
The Yankees are banking on it.
Rated the No. 1 prospect in the organization, Dominguez has been inconsistent at the plate this season with Double-A Somerset. Nicknamed “The Martian,” Dominguez entered Friday night with a very earthly slash line of .198/.344/.369, 10 home runs and 37 RBIs.
He also entered the Patriots’ matchup with the New Hampshire River Cats with just one hit and 12 strikeouts in his last 19 at-bats.
The 20-year-old Dominguez raked during spring training, which put himself in position to get called up and join the Yankees’ outfield at some point this season.
His disappointing Double-A season has likely slowed that conversation, however.
But there may be a silver lining.
Jasson Dominguez during Yankees 2023 spring training. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post“The one thing that’s been a little bit different [this year], each team is going to attack him with something new,” Somerset Patriots hitting coach Jake Hirst told The Post. “Everybody has kind of had a different approach to Jasson Dominguez. Long-term, that’s gonna make him a more robust and a more prepared player.
“It’s just responding to the game and responding to how other teams and other pitchers are going to attack him. I think the positive with him is that he’s taken that in stride. His ability to stay calm throughout that process is great.”
Dominguez has had mixed success throughout his minor league career, at times flashing tantalizing potential and other times — perhaps too often — showing how much room he still has for development.
It’s Dominguez’s five-tool ability that has the Yankees and fans salivating.
Jasson Dominguez has struggled at Double-A this season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostBut his proficiency at the plate is how he first commanded attention, and it’s currently his greatest struggle. Dominguez and Hirst have identified several areas they’re concentrating on to get him back on track.
“He’s done a good job of understanding he needs to control the zone better,” Hirst said. “He needs to be more aggressive on get-me-over breaking balls and maybe be a little bit more selective on fastballs above the zone, or back-foot breaking balls, or things like that.”
Although Dominguez’s hitting has been up-and-down, he has found pivotal consistency in other areas. And that has been a key to his rise.
“The tools are obviously one thing, but I think just the consistency that he brings every day from such a young age has always been really impressive to me,” Hirst said.
“I think whether things are going really well in the game or things could be going better, he’s the same guy in the cage every day. He’s the same guy in the clubhouse every day. Super consistent, super easygoing, fun-loving, just wants to have fun and be a positive energy around the clubhouse.”






