Yankees Should Provide a Lane for Ben Rice
The fall of Designated Hitter Giancarlo Stanton may just serve as a blessing in disguise. The opportunity to spark a youth movement at a traditional power position is there for the taking. The lane is open, and Ben Rice is showing he’s ready to take full advantage. Here is a young first baseman-catcher from Cohasset, Massachusetts, who made an early impression in the Bronx before pitchers began to adjust. The highlight of his breakout came on July 6, 2024, when he delivered a memorable three-home run performance against the Boston Red Sox.
Now, in spring training, Ben Rice is showcasing his natural Yankee Stadium lefty stroke with consistent contact and power. His performance this spring has significantly increased his value. "I feel I’m in a good spot overall," Rice said. "I feel like I put together a lot of good at-bats, and I feel I showed what I can do from a defensive standpoint."
Ben Rice is a prospect who was drafted in 2021 by the Yankees, his favorite team. Ben drove up the ranks quickly, starting from the rookie–level Florida Complex League Yankees and single A to Triple A three years later. He got a cup of coffee in the MLB, replacing an injured and ineffective Anthony Rizzo. Though it was a small sample size of 152 at-bats, Rice did smack out seven homers and drove in 23 runs, giving the Yankees a brief but much-needed lift at a time when the offense was too top-heavy, with little or no production coming from the bottom half of the lineup. Although his late-season slump seemed to push him out of the picture as a regular, Rice's impressive preseason performance has put him back on the radar.
The mindset is what people talk about when Ben Rice walked into the spring with a stronger physique and a work ethic that drew eyes. “It's putting more force on the ball,” Rice explained, “So, to be able to hit it a little harder so when you hit it in the air good things will happen.” The ability to play multiple positions is a major league plus when it comes to Rice. He speaks of wanting to prove himself a big-league level catcher. However, Ben has looked smooth at first base as well.
Rice was presented with just that question concerning whether he has a preference: catcher, first, or designated hitter. Rice does not have a preference. “Whatever gets me in the lineup,” Rice admitted freely. Rice is stepping up big time in spring training, and with two weeks to go, it's time that the Yankees stop speaking negatively of their top prospects like Jasson Dominguez. It's time to start opening multiple lanes to their youth and Ben Rice in particular. They may find that he is a solution to a current problem.
