Rolling 2025 NY Spring Training Game Thread
- Thread starter jon abbey
- Start date
There have been a bunch of articles in the last few days about Peraza, as if the team is pushing him to be the 3B internally. Interesting to see him starting today, hopefully he has an awesome spring, wins the job, and then backs it up.
Spencer Jones legit has great pop. Incredible bat extension for his huge frame. Perfect for the backdoor sliders he’s bound to see eventually. Went Yahtzee after the ABS. Nearly had one earlier in the game too.
Was just coming here to post his opposite field HR. In his first AB, he took three called strikes in a row, and the idiots making up Yankee Twitter wanted him beheaded, but then this was his second AB.
View: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1893387225271767048
View: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1893387225271767048
Jasson Dominguez with a couple of misplays in LF today.
I think that in a vacuum, Bellinger in LF and Dominguez in CF (where he has much more experience) would make more sense, but what I think NY's idea here is is that in 2026, Spencer Jones will be up, and he is a better defensive CF than Dominguez. Bellinger can opt out, and if he does, then Jones can replace him directly. If Bellinger stays, he can move to 1B because Goldschmidt is only on a one year deal.
I think that in a vacuum, Bellinger in LF and Dominguez in CF (where he has much more experience) would make more sense, but what I think NY's idea here is is that in 2026, Spencer Jones will be up, and he is a better defensive CF than Dominguez. Bellinger can opt out, and if he does, then Jones can replace him directly. If Bellinger stays, he can move to 1B because Goldschmidt is only on a one year deal.
That scans, but if Dominguez can't handle LF but is serviceable enough in CF, Bellinger and then Jones in LF isn't the worst thing. The Yankees putting their best OF in LF wouldn't be a first. Gardner in LF with Granderson in CF is one example that comes to mind, but I'm sure there have been plenty of others. Even from LF Gardy covered a bit more of center than some.
But all that is premature since Dominguez isn't going to learn LF at the stadium unless he plays it more. Hopefully he can figure it out with more reps.
Compared to other parks, I wonder how much more challenging it really is. Judge has been a solid OF, is a team-first guy, and didn't want to touch it.
But all that is premature since Dominguez isn't going to learn LF at the stadium unless he plays it more. Hopefully he can figure it out with more reps.
Compared to other parks, I wonder how much more challenging it really is. Judge has been a solid OF, is a team-first guy, and didn't want to touch it.
Something is unusual about NY's organizational defensive development for prospects, you have guys like Wells and Volpe who from day 1 in MLB have been decidedly better defensively than advertised (at C and SS, no less), and now Dominguez is showing signs in maybe the opposite direction.
Dominguez was supposed to be a solid defensive CF and he does seem to get to balls, he is very fast and his reads seem ok, he just misplays them way too often once he does. But that seems more (hopefully) fixable than not being able to get there.
Dominguez was supposed to be a solid defensive CF and he does seem to get to balls, he is very fast and his reads seem ok, he just misplays them way too often once he does. But that seems more (hopefully) fixable than not being able to get there.
Not just Wells and Volpe. I think Cabrera has been better defensively than expected too, especially given how many positions he’s played, including some for the first time. And obviously Peraza is great, though he already had the pedigree for it.
I think developmentally, whatever the organization is doing is probably sound and this is a Dominguez specific problem. Maybe all the early defensive assessments were weighted more on raw tools than aptitude and he was never that good? Dunno.
Injuries probably haven’t helped. Even if fully healed, his playing time has been disrupted plenty over the last couple of years. I think he’ll get better with regular playing time, but it sucks that he’s going to have to learn and improve under a bright spotlight. But that isn’t a new thing with this team. Chisholm, Cabrera and Rice all had it harder. I’d like to say that is the bigger problem, but most of the time it seems unavoidable and still kinda works out.
I think developmentally, whatever the organization is doing is probably sound and this is a Dominguez specific problem. Maybe all the early defensive assessments were weighted more on raw tools than aptitude and he was never that good? Dunno.
Injuries probably haven’t helped. Even if fully healed, his playing time has been disrupted plenty over the last couple of years. I think he’ll get better with regular playing time, but it sucks that he’s going to have to learn and improve under a bright spotlight. But that isn’t a new thing with this team. Chisholm, Cabrera and Rice all had it harder. I’d like to say that is the bigger problem, but most of the time it seems unavoidable and still kinda works out.
Some talk earlier today about how Ben Rice added ten pounds of muscle, which might help some of his long fly balls get over the fence this year. He is leading off today (always a good sign NY wants to see a lot from someone) and:
"Ben Rice hits a single 111.1 MPH to start the game, which would have been his hardest-hit ball tracked at either Triple-A or the Major Leagues."
"Ben Rice hits a single 111.1 MPH to start the game, which would have been his hardest-hit ball tracked at either Triple-A or the Major Leagues."
I'm glad to see Rice behind the plate. If he can win that job, backup C/1B is a great spot for him to get plenty of ABs this year while he (hopefully) improves at the plate. A bit less pressure on him than last season.
After reading the article JA posted on Escarra, I'm less interested in Rice behind the plate.
If Escarra really is elite defensively and potentially capable with the bat, I'll take that over Rice's power.
Glad the Yankees have options.
If Escarra really is elite defensively and potentially capable with the bat, I'll take that over Rice's power.
Glad the Yankees have options.
I don’t post much anymore but the article JA posted on Escarra is why I stop by this board almost every day. Jon has always been my Yankee Cliff Notes, a shorthand way to keep up on the pinstripes.
We love you, Terry. Always love when I see you posting. Truly. We need more amazing members like you.
Abbey has never had a deeper rotation of posters than now. Brand Name alone makes it worthwhile. Evil Empire and so much more, including some second-year talent. Enjoy the season. I will watch from the cheap seats and digest the banter.
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Volpe hit a HR off Matt Strahm just now, with a harder exit velocity than he's ever had previously in his career (110 MPH even).
https://bsky.app/profile/riveraveblues.bsky.social/post/3lj6kv23ecc2d
https://bsky.app/profile/riveraveblues.bsky.social/post/3lj6kv23ecc2d
Sportsnet is showing it live, which I believe you can see it as much in the USA with MLBTV. Or at least I'd hope so.
Alex Jackson is still pushing for the backup catcher role also, along with the recently discussed Escarra. He is not on the 40 man (but it wouldn't be hard to get him on with the 60 day IL candidates) but he is a RHH and Wells and Escarra are both lefties. He is 29 (same as Escarra) and has hit horribly in his limited MLB ABs, but his defense is strong enough that he has still gotten MLB ABs in 5 of the last 6 seasons.
Anyway, last night he homered and hit a two run double to the fence. Also worth noting, they chose him to be the catcher for Cole's first outing, and that he was the #6 pick in the first round (in 2014, heh), and Cashman always loves first round pedigrees.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksal02.shtml
Anyway, last night he homered and hit a two run double to the fence. Also worth noting, they chose him to be the catcher for Cole's first outing, and that he was the #6 pick in the first round (in 2014, heh), and Cashman always loves first round pedigrees.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksal02.shtml
Yankee kids hammering Zach Wheeler today, Goldschmidt is 0-2 and the rest of the team went 8-12 (7 singles, 1 double) including a scorched single from George Lombard Jr., whose stock is skyrocketing this week. Yesterday he was facing PIT's #7 prospect late in the game, he worked a nine pitch AB before blasting a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence. Lombard has probably passed Spencer Jones as NY's top prospect once Dominguez graduates in April or May.
He also evidently had by far the best defensive metrics of any Yankee minor leaguer last year.
" He recorded a whopping 16.4 Defensive Runs Prevented across multiple infield positions according to Baseball Prospectus, making him the best infield defender in the Yankees’ farm system by a considerable margin."
https://empiresportsmedia.com/new-york-yankees/yankees-top-shortstop-prospect-flashing-incredible-power-potential/
From Sarah Langs on Bluesky:
Jasson Domínguez today:
30.4 ft/sec sprint speed on infield single -- 30+ ft/sec is elite
103.9 mph home run
Jasson Domínguez today:
30.4 ft/sec sprint speed on infield single -- 30+ ft/sec is elite
103.9 mph home run
The Yankees have somewhat quietly been working a lot of kids into their planned lineup:
Chisholm 27.1
Wells 26.5
Volpe 23.8
Rice 26.0
Dominguez 22.1
Cabrera/Peraza 26.0/24.7
With Stanton out, if Rice is the primary DH, that is six of nine spots, along with Judge/Bellinger/Goldschmidt.
Chisholm 27.1
Wells 26.5
Volpe 23.8
Rice 26.0
Dominguez 22.1
Cabrera/Peraza 26.0/24.7
With Stanton out, if Rice is the primary DH, that is six of nine spots, along with Judge/Bellinger/Goldschmidt.
Will Warren in three combined starts so far:
8 2 1 1 2 11
Today he went through the top of the Phillies order twice, Harper and Schwarber and Trae Turner and Bohm, and only allowed one hit in three innings (a solo HR to Max Kepler).
8 2 1 1 2 11
Today he went through the top of the Phillies order twice, Harper and Schwarber and Trae Turner and Bohm, and only allowed one hit in three innings (a solo HR to Max Kepler).
So where does Volpe play when Lombard takes over SS next year?
I'm joking of course, but if Lombard keeps improving and is that good defensively, what a nice problem to have. I guess if he forces his way up late this season or next, third base is his for the taking.
I'm joking of course, but if Lombard keeps improving and is that good defensively, what a nice problem to have. I guess if he forces his way up late this season or next, third base is his for the taking.
I don't think he will be a factor this year, he has clearly taken a leap but also he did not really hit in low or high A last year. I hope they start him at AA but they might even start him at high A again, he has some hurdles left still and he doesn't turn 20 until June (he would be beginning his college sophomore season now if he'd gone to Vandy as he considered).
Ideally, he jumps two levels this summer. Start briefly at High-A, spend the bulk of season in AA, maybe finish in AAA. It will be fun to follow Lombard Jr. this summer. He will be the new top prospect for NYY.
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Yankees are playing Detroit today, Fried vs young wunderkind Jackson Jobe.
Fried gave up a solo HR to old buddy Gleyber in the 1st (as someone said on Twitter, Gleyber is going to hit 14 HRs this season and 6 will be against NYY), and NY came back with 3 in the 4th behind HRs by Dominguez and Goldschmidt, which is where they are now. Fried has still only allowed the one baserunner.
Fried gave up a solo HR to old buddy Gleyber in the 1st (as someone said on Twitter, Gleyber is going to hit 14 HRs this season and 6 will be against NYY), and NY came back with 3 in the 4th behind HRs by Dominguez and Goldschmidt, which is where they are now. Fried has still only allowed the one baserunner.
Cookie with 6 strikeouts in the last 3.1 innings of today's game against Philly. I know scrubs play in the late innings of a spring training game and those numbers don't mean anthing, but I have a soft spot for Carrasco and think it would be pretty cool if he has anything at all left in the tank, as unlikely as that is.
Maybe as a multi-inning RP and emergency SP depth if another guy goes down.
Maybe as a multi-inning RP and emergency SP depth if another guy goes down.
Carrasco actually started that game and faced some genuine MLB hitters, he is NY's #6 or even #5 right now (yikes). He has an opt out a week from today so NY will need to figure something out by then because sadly they cannot currently afford to lose him.
Thanks for that correction. That's even better. And I swear, I'm not a crazy person. The ESPN box score from the Phillies game listed Cookie as the last pitcher. Is there a reason for that I'm missing or a mistake? I thought maybe I was learning something new that I never realized about spring training games, but today's box score looks normal.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401704452
https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore/_/gameId/401704470
More importantly, yeah, I hope they get it worked out with Carrasco and he doesn't opt out. If he's against being a long man and spot starter, does Warren get put in that role? I don't think he will get sent down. The top six pitchers are going to get starts one way or another.
No, that's their mistake and a really strange one, the Phillies pitchers are in the right order but the Yankee ones are in no apparent order, not the correct one or reversed or even alphabetized. This was the correct order:
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/phillies-vs-yankees/2025/03/14/779044/final/box
Has Grisham played LF at all this spring? It would be nice if out 4th OF could cover down on all three spots, especially our most vulnerable one. And I know Bellinger almost certainly can, but still.
Yankees having fun today against Tajuan Walker and a full power Phillies lineup.
Rice, Bellinger, Chisholm and Pablo Reyes have all homered, and Stroman and Allan Winans (right behind Carrasco in the current SP pecking order) have gone for a combined 5 2 0 0 3 5, 8-0 Yankees currently.
Rice, Bellinger, Chisholm and Pablo Reyes have all homered, and Stroman and Allan Winans (right behind Carrasco in the current SP pecking order) have gone for a combined 5 2 0 0 3 5, 8-0 Yankees currently.
Dominguez is red-hot too:
Through 5 innings in Clearwater, the Yankees have:
- a 110.3-mph homer from Ben Rice
- a 108.8-mph double from Jasson Domínguez
- a 107.8-mph single from Domínguez
- a 105.8-mph homer from Pablo Reyes
- a 105.7-mph single from Domínguez
- a 105.6-mph homer from Jazz Chisholm Jr.
- a 104.6-mph homer from Cody Bellinger
Through 5 innings in Clearwater, the Yankees have:
- a 110.3-mph homer from Ben Rice
- a 108.8-mph double from Jasson Domínguez
- a 107.8-mph single from Domínguez
- a 105.8-mph homer from Pablo Reyes
- a 105.7-mph single from Domínguez
- a 105.6-mph homer from Jazz Chisholm Jr.
- a 104.6-mph homer from Cody Bellinger