Scouting report: Yankees' Jasson Dominguez
This week, MiLB.com introduces a new series spotlighting players who are just starting their professional careers, focusing on what the experts are projecting for these young phenoms. Here's a look at top Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here.
This week, MiLB.com introduces a new series spotlighting players who are just starting their professional careers, focusing on what the experts are projecting for these young phenoms. Here's a look at top Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez. For more player journeys on The Road to The Show, click here.
The cancellation of the 2020 Minor League season not only delayed the professional debut of Jasson Dominguez but also somehow heightened the colossal expectations surrounding the youngster already known as "The Martian."
Living up to his nickname, The Martian does not look human.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 21, 2020
17 years old!#Yankees' Jasson Dominguez is the youngest player on the Top 100 Prospects list: https://t.co/RHH0gkaa4tpic.twitter.com/D5z8Amo2My
Introduced to the New York organization at an early age, Dominguez was put on the Yankees radar by international scouting director Donny Rowland, assistant scouting director Edgar Mateo and other staff in the Dominican Republic.
“I’ve known J.D. since he was 13 and he’s been working out two or three times a day since he was a kid,” Mateo told MLB.com. “He’s relentless, just unstoppable and then he has God-given tools that separate him. He also understands that it’s a process and he’s a long way from the big leagues. He knows there’s a lot to be done before his mission is accomplished, and that’s why he works so hard.”
At the age of 16, the Yankees signed Dominguez for a franchise-record $5.1 million in July 2019, and while he has yet to take a professional at-bat stateside, it hasn't stopped the recently turned 18-year-old from being referred to as “out of this world” for his imposing stature and raw power.
💪💪💪
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 27, 2020
17-year-old Yankees top prospect Jasson Dominguez has gone viral for being absurdly swoll in some offseason workout vids: https://t.co/Nkcwe4E8SY pic.twitter.com/A3p47eKp4y
Already drawing comparisons to Mike Trout, Bo Jackson and Yankees legend Mickey Mantle for his plus tools across the board, Dominguez isn’t trying to drown out the noise. Rather, he's using it as motivation to make an immediate impression when he debuts during the upcoming season.
“My hope for next season is to meet the expectations I have for myself and people have of me,” he told MLB.com in 2020. “That’s my goal and that’s why I’ve never stopped working out.”
The switch-hitting center fielder did not spend any time at the Yankees alternate training site last season, but he has already exhibited exceptional power, speed, range and arm strength while participating at instructional camp in Florida. Scouts are quick to laud Dominguez for his 30/30 potential.
During a sim game in the backfields this spring, Dominguez crushed a ball with a 117 mph exit velocity. He is the youngest member of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list (No. 32 overall) by more than a year, while sitting atop the Yankees’ prospect list and ranking No. 8 among all outfield prospects -- ahead of Rays breakout star Randy Arozarena and Atlanta’s Drew Waters. Pipeline projects his big league arrival for 2024.
Still, the organization continues to try to temper expectations:
"I don’t really think [the expectations are] fair. ... He’s super-talented, (but) he hasn’t played a game here yet," Yankees senior director of player development Kevin Reese told reporters this spring. "So it’s hard to help him manage those expectations, because he’s not going to show up tomorrow and perform like Mike Trout or Aaron Judge."
The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder named after former Yankees slugger Jason Giambi (although he spells it differently) is expected to open the 2021 season at extended spring training and could realistically make the easy move to the Low-A Tampa Tarpons for his first pro game action.
practicing🥑🔥 #teamagucate🥑 #NewYork #YANKSonYES #yankees #mlb #lasmayores pic.twitter.com/CWxe1GLqlR
— Jasson Dominguez (@gonjass7) January 10, 2020
And while it remains to be seen if or when that will happen, one thing is for certain, the Martian is ready to leave his mark on the organization he's been rooting for his entire life.
“I’m just grateful to God that the Yankees were one of the teams that made me one of the biggest offers,” Dominguez said. “I’m very fortunate I was able to sign with them, and I’m going to show them what I can do.”
Here's what the experts at MLB Pipeline have to say about Dominguez:
Scouting grades (20-80 scale)
HIT: 55
POWER: 60
RUN: 65
ARM: 60
FIELD: 55
OVERALL: 55
"The most hyped and tooled-up international prospect in recent memory, Dominguez engenders comparisons to some of the best athletes in baseball history, such as Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout. The Yankees spent $5.1 million, all but $300,000 of their bonus pool and a franchise record for an international amateur, to sign him out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019. Some clubs officials thought he might be able to handle making his pro debut in low Class A at age 17 in 2020, but it became a moot point when the coronavirus pandemic scuttled the Minor League season.
"Dominguez not only has the potential for well above-average tools across the board, but he also has the advanced instincts and skills to get the most of them. A switch-hitter, he exhibits a smooth stroke, tremendous bat speed and strength from both sides of the plate. With precocious feel for the barrel and a mature, disciplined approach, he should hit for power and average.
"Dominguez's well above-average speed also allows him to make an impact on the bases and in the outfield. He has 30-30 potential, covers plenty of ground in center field and also features at least a plus arm. His quickness and arm strength would allow him to play almost any position and some teams even worked him out as a catcher, though putting him behind the plate would take a toll on his offensive output."
Rob Terranova is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobTnova24.
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