TAMPA — Jasson Domínguez could find himself in a role he used to not care for this season.
The rookie left fielder is one of the Yankees’ options to lead off, a job he did not like in the minors until Triple-A manager Shelley Duncan forced him to do it. It wasn’t that Domínguez, a top prospect with power, demanded that he hit in the middle of the order or something like that. He just felt like he didn’t have enough time to get ready after running in from the outfield.
“That was my thing,” the switch-hitting Domínguez said. “I gotta run hard to the dugout. I gotta get my leg guard. I gotta get my sliding glove.”
The 22-year-old also explained that he used to wear socks on his hands to protect against an allergic reaction he had to his batting gloves, an issue that former Yankee Alex Verdugo also deals with. But Domínguez has since obtained batting gloves that don’t harm him. Stuffing his socked hands into gloves is one less thing he needs to worry about now.
“I felt like I had no time. But Shelley Duncan made me lead off on purpose. Now I’m good with it,” Domínguez said. “I found that I can have time to get my things ready. I don’t have to rush it.”
Whether Domínguez will have to rush in the big leagues remains to be seen, as Aaron Boone has other options in the one-hole, including Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe and even Cody Bellinger. Boone has also said players could rotate in the role based on matchups.
Chisholm led off against the Tigers in Sunday’s spring exhibition, while Domínguez hit fourth.
Domínguez led off in the Yankees’ spring opener on Friday. He drew a walk, scored a run and picked up an RBI.
“He’s one of the guys I’m considering for it,” Boone said. “I’ll play around with some things here as we go, but I at least think that’s a possibility.”
Boone added that he doesn’t have any reservations about using an inexperienced player in the leadoff spot.
“I’m not going to be afraid to put somebody in that position because they’re young or whatever,” the manager said. “If we feel like they’re ready to go and be a real contributor on our team, I’m going to try and put them in the best spot for our lineup and expect that to work.”
Domínguez has hit first once in the big leagues, doing so in the second-to-last game of the regular season last year. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
The Martian said that he’d be happy to lead off if Boone asks him to, though he knows nothing has been set in stone. Domínguez also knows the role comes with a lot of responsibility, as the Yankees need their leadoff man to set the table for Aaron Judge and the middle of the Bombers’ order.
“Judge is a great hitter no matter what,” Domínguez said. “But if he needs to see a couple pitches, I can get him that.”
