Days after MLB Pipeline released its latest top prospects rankings, Jasson Domínguez finally made a positive impact. The New York Yankees' most highly anticipated prospect in years, the outfielder launched his first home run in Grapefruit League play Tuesday, a ball that just cleared the fence at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater.
He did it as some of the Yankees' other top young talent pushed their way into his spotlight.
Spencer Jones, the towering 6-foot-6 slugger who drew Aaron Judge comparisons last spring, had a three-hit day, including his second home run of the spring.
George Lombard Jr., just 19 years old, added two hits and is now batting .333 in spring training.
The Yankees had to be thrilled to see Domínguez square up a pitch and drive it hard. The 22-year-old has had a rough spring, struggling both at the plate and in the field.
With Cody Bellinger set to play center field, the Yankees hoped Domínguez would show enough to claim a corner outfield spot. But three weeks from Opening Day, he has struggled defensively and had been quiet at the plate until Tuesday.
His defensive struggles have been so bad that the questions about moving him are getting louder.
Meanwhile, Jones and Lombard are giving Yankees fans plenty of reasons to be excited about the future.
Jones has looked dangerous this spring after a disastrous 2024 season in which he set a franchise record with 200 strikeouts in the minors. He is batting .429 with two doubles and two homers.
Lomabard has been a revelation.
The young shortstop is 5-for-15 with two home runs and has skyrocketed up the prospect lists. The son of former big leaguer and current Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard, he leapfrogged Jones to claim the No. 2 spot in the Yankees' latest prospect rankings, just behind Domínguez. Jones is now ranked No. 3.
Will Warren, the Yankees' No. 5 prospect, also impressed on Tuesday, striking out four while allowing one run on one hit in three innings of work.
