Ben Rice of the Yankees successfully completes test alongside Max Fried

Yankees’ Ben Rice Stands Out in Win Against White Sox

Ben Rice showcased his defensive skills during a game against the White Sox on Wednesday night. It’s hard to see why he should spend time on the bench.

In the second game of the series, Rice caught for Max Fried for the first time, and his efforts included hitting triples, contributing to a solid 8-1 victory in a strong September performance.

Aaron Boone, though, downplayed the idea of this being a trial run or a sneak peek at postseason alignments. Yet, it did present a welcomed opportunity to pair Rice with Fried, something they’ve been considering for a while. The White Sox opted for bullpen games, which allowed Boone to play with lineup adjustments.

Boone noted that having the duo play together could be beneficial for future matchups. “If you’re going deeper in the postseason, knowing how things will unfold is key,” he commented. “I think having them work together, at least for a game, holds some benefits.”

Overall, Rice and Fried seemed to click. Fried secured his 19th win of the season, putting on a solid performance for seven innings.

“It felt great,” Fried said after their first outing as a battery duo. “He’s really putting in the effort, especially transitioning from first base to catching, and it’s impressive how he’s stepped up.”

Rice, a powerful left-handed hitter, has an OPS of .829 with 24 home runs in 457 at-bats. It was exhilarating for him to get the chance to catch the Yankees’ ace, especially considering he’d only made his MLB catching debut earlier in June.

His early months as designated hitter were focused on getting comfortable, but he was proactive, attending scouting meetings and catching bullpen sessions to enhance his skills behind the plate.

As Rice expressed, “I’m glad we got the chance to work together in case it happens in the playoffs. The most important part is finding a way to get on the same page, especially since there will likely be some growing pains along the way with any pitcher you’re just getting to know.”