After losing Juan Soto, the New York Yankees knew they had to make roster changes. Manager Aaron Boone recently went on live and talked about who is most likely to play center-field and left-field, sharing that the newly acquired Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs will most likely play in center field. For the Chicago Cubs in 2024, the 29-year-old played center field (48 games) and right field (49 games) about evenly.

So what about left-field? Well, that will be occupied by none other than Jasson Domínguez. The Yankees think the 21-year-old prospect will be able to take up the position change after a full spring of practice. In a recent video uploaded by Foul Territory, Yankees broadcaster Derek Levandowski shared his take on the Jasson Dominguez situation with the team.

Levandowski noted, “We are setting up high expectations for him and the Yankees are putting a lot of eggs in that basket. There’s no safety net here. He has to go out and get it done.” Domínguez played left field in just 11 Minor League games last season before getting called up, and now, the club is completely depending on him in left field (which is not even his position). So, this raises the question: Will the young star be able to keep up? 

Scouts have previously talked about the Dominican player being a fast learner and a person who adapts quickly. Dominguez had some issues defensively last year, and the right side of the plate could use some work. “Obviously, there are things I need to work on,” Dominguez had said last September,adding, “But I feel like with more work, I can get there. … I’ve been working almost every day in left field, getting my fungoes, shagging, everything. I don’t think I’m that far [off].” 

Could the ‘Martian’ be a force in the Yankees? 

As the New York Yankees look to bounce back in 2025, all eyes will be on one of their brightest young stars, outfielder Jasson Dominguez. With Juan Soto now calling Queens home as a member of the Mets, Dominguez is primed for a much larger role in the Yankees’ outfield this season. But the road to this moment hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride.

After a much-anticipated debut on September 1, 2023, the “Martian” (as he’s often referred to due to his otherworldly talent) quickly showed flashes of the power and potential that has Yankees fans buzzing. But, as fate would have it, his promising start was cut short. The 21-year-old suffered a devastating blow to his career when he tore his ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery that kept him sidelined for most of 2024. 

Moreover, after getting back on the field, an oblique injury while rehabbing in the minors further delayed Dominguez’s comeback. In his 26-game major league stint, Dominguez posted a .207/.310/.437 slash line, with six home runs, 11 RBIs, and a .747 OPS. Sure, the numbers weren’t eye-popping, but remember, this kid’s just getting started. He hit just .179 with two homers in his 18-game run last season, but those glimpses of power—coupled with his solid on-base skills—show that once the rust shakes off, Dominguez can leave his mark on the Yankees’ lineup.