LAKELAND, Fla. — This is why the Yankees are experimenting with Jackson Dominguez.
Just like last fall, there were some adventures in the field on the left this spring.
He is a natural centre fielder, learning new positions, moving forward with more lessons and turning 22 last month.
The Yankees' hopes bats are worth the pain that will emerge on the field this season.
Thursday reminded me another way that Dominguez's swing has an empty ceiling that has been promoted since his first day with the organization.
“There's no need to remind you,” manager Aaron Boone said with a smile after a loud Dominguez afternoon in a 8-6 victory over the Tigers at Joker Merchant Stadium. “He has that ability [of hitting well]. I think he has the ability to control the strike zone and hit with strength everywhere. ”
Domínguez stepped in to hit four times and did something noteworthy with each.
There was a six-pitch walk against left-handed Andrew Shaffin, the appearance of a strong plate from the weak right side of Dominguez hitting the switch.
There was a seven-pitch battle with his old friend Tommy Khanl, and in the end Dominguez swung his changeup around.
There was a 105.7 mph rocket, which almost beheaded by pitcher Jackson Job on the other side that turned into difficult ground.
And the fourth at-bat against the job – the fifth prospect of all baseball – Dominguez jumped on a low zone changeup, starting slowly, lifting deep above the right field fence for the second homer in the spring, who found results in the last six games.
“He's really made a lot of contact,” a scouting report from starter Max Fried. “Every time he swings the bat, it's offensive from both sides of the plate.”
At the major league level, Dominguez flashed light in 2023 with his first taste, almost flashing it last year when he was away from the oblique distortion.
His low-level play demonstrated that he conquered minor league pitching.
Even during the unimportant exhibition season, strong jobs like Jobs, Khanl and Chaffin encouraged the Yankees.
“Every game, every at-bat,” Dominguez said, “I start to feel more comfortable.”
The Yankees want a much more attention-grabbing issue in this field as well.
Thursday marked exactly two weeks until the Yankees opening day, before Dominguez was expected to start left against the Bronx's Brewers.
Boone said he was watching enough to make Dominguez seem happy on the spot.
It's a big surprise if Dominguez doesn't fall in that position this spring and then the club doesn't get a nod after choosing to run a place where there is essentially no objection to him.
The results in the left field are mixed during grapefruit.
There were moments when I scratched my head, balls lost in the sun, false routes, but these days it's been less.
Dominguez said he “definitely” feels he's improving.
“I've worked every day and I can feel that,” Dominguez added.
There were also some fly balls that were out of the ball that the average left fielder couldn't reach.
“The Martian” is welcomed as a 5 tool outlook, with speeds found in the toolbox.
“It feels like he did a good job,” Boone said. “In fact, there were a few plays he recently made that show the range you want to see.
“I think his route was really a direct route recently. When he does it, you see the speed and he can actually eat most people playing there to the ground.”
Dominguez's spring work on the left field was uneven, but he had to keep Trent Grisham on the bench showing flashes and progress to keep Cordy Bellinger at center field.
He appears ready to win the field job on the left.
“It's good to see him having that day,” Boone said.
