'The Martian' launches into orbit for Somerset

Jasson Domínguez checked off another box while rehabbing with the Double-A Somerset Patriots on Saturday night.

MLB's No. 31 prospect crushed a fastball off New Hampshire right-hander Trent Clifton, sending the ball over the steel fence at Delta Dental Stadium for a two-run homer, his first long ball of 2024 during the eighth game of his rehab assignment. Domínguez collected three hits to help lift the Patriots to a 5-3 win over the Fisher Cats.

The Yankees' No. 1 prospect went yard for the first time since Sept. 8, 2023 in the Majors, the day before his last appearance with the Yankees. The 21-year-old is slashing .323/.417/.452 with an .862 OPS during his rehab, which began with Tampa (four games) before moving to Somerset. Domínguez has recorded a hit in all but three games and has four multihit contests.

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Although Domínguez’s first taste of the Majors lasted only eight games, the Dominican center fielder made a strong impression by homering in his first big league at-bat. He went on to club three more dingers -- two of which were hit off Justin Verlander and Cristian Javier -- before an elbow injury forced him to undergo Tommy John Surgery.

Besides his strong first impression in The Show, Domínguez has long been seen as a future star since he signed with the Yankees in 2019 as an international prospect for $5.1 million. He was seen as a centerpiece to build around in the Bronx, but it remains to be seen where "The Martian" will land once his rehab assignment is over.

The Yankees hold a 1/2 game first-place lead in the AL East and are a scorching 17-4 in May. Their outfield, consisting of Alex Verdugo, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, are a big reason for their success. It’s tough to imagine that even when Dominguez is ready that he’ll instantly return to the Major, but he's making a difficult decision even harder for the Bronx Bombers with his successful start to 2024.

“I always feel like I’ve been one of the high guys on Jasson,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said earlier this month. “Going back to last spring, I’m like, 'This guy’s a big leaguer.' There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to have a really good Major League career. … Now, when does that happen? When does he really take off and pop and all that? That always is an unknown and remains to be seen. Everyone’s trajectory is different. But I am confident in the person and the talent.”