The New York Yankees have are facing a huge problem with Jasson Dominguez.
The New York Yankees demoted Jasson Dominguez to Triple-A to start the 2026 MLB campaign in a move that came as a surprise to no one.
The Yankees openly discussed the idea of sending Dominguez down early in the offseason, and after they signed Randal Grichuk as a fourth outfielder, the writing was on the wall for the youngster.
It was certainly disappointing considering Dominguez began 2025 as a starter, but it has become increasingly obvious that the 23-year-old has deficiencies that will likely severely limit his ceiling.
We know Dominguez's bat was a bit underwhelming for much of last season, but that's not his biggest issue. He certainly seems to have the potential to become a good hitter, even if he hasn't quite figured out how to hit left-handed pitching.
The most significant problem for Dominguez remains his defense.
It was a problem for the Dominican native when he started in left field last season, and it continues to be a problem even in the minor leagues.
Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media recently highlighted Dominguez's defensive struggles early on in 2026.
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images."The routes to fly balls remain inconsistent. Balls near the warning track have been a particular problem, and the combination of hesitant reads and occasional misjudgments creates the kind of risk in left field that a championship-caliber team cannot absorb regularly," Wilson wrote. "This was precisely why the Yankees opted to carry Randal Grichuk on the Opening Day roster rather than give Dominguez a bench role."
Dominguez's defensive woes may very well keep him from establishing a role on the big-league club this year, and they will also result in a big hit to his trade value.
There was a time when Dominguez was viewed as a can't-miss prospect. Some even dubbed him the next Mickey Mantle. Clearly, that is no longer a thing.
Again, there is a world in which Dominguez develops into a solid hitter, but if he can't find a position, will he ever be able to stick on a major-league roster?
Sure, the designated hitter is a thing, but up until this point, Dominguez has not shown he is consistently good enough offensively to warrant taking up a DH spot.
The Yankees are hoping that Dominguez's glove comes along, but it's looking more and more like he simply doesn't have it.
I'm just not sure Dominguez's defense is solvable, and if that ends up being the case, his future will always be murky.
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