The Declajasson of Independence
Jasson Domínguez (NYY): 4-5, 2B, 3B, R, SB.
A huge week from George Springer helped the Blue Jays overpower the Yankees and tilt the landscape of the AL East. However, if the Yankees can leave Toronto with one positive takeaway, it’s with the play of their former top prospect. Yesterday, Jasson Domínguez demonstrated his dynamic potential by turning a curveball on the outer edge from Chris Bassitt into his first triple. It was also his second four-hit performance over his past six starts. Aaron Boone surprisingly benched him after his first four-hit game last Wednesday, with the Yankees facing a logjam in the wake of Giancarlo Stanton’s return.
However, it’s starting to feel like the Yankees have to get his bat into the lineup; not only is it vital for his development, but his athleticism on the bases gives them an element they’ve sorely lacked. Sure, Domínguez isn’t perfect. He’s striking out a lot, has been far worse as a righty, and he has had issues defensively. Still, it also feels like he’s just scratching the surface. A .264 average and 106 wRC+ is nothing to sneeze at from a 22-year-old switch-hitter, especially one who has bounced in and out of the lineup. His 13 stolen bases are the most on the team; Volpe and Bellinger are second with nine. Remember that three-home run game back in May? Maybe Domínguez never reaches his apex, but one thing is for certain: the man known as the Martian deserves the chance to earn his independence.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Thursday:
George Springer (TOR): 3-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, BB.
With the Jays ahead 6-5 in the bottom of the eighth, Luke Weaver put the ball on a tee for George Springer; the result was a two-run tater (429 feet, 110.4 EV) that sealed a four-game sweep of the Yankees and put the Jays atop the AL East. It was also Springer’s second of the game, his first coming at the expense of Clarke Schmidt in the third. So that’s 15 for Springer, giving him a good shot at what would be his third 30-home-run season and first since 2019. His .891 OPS is his highest since 2020 (.899) and is five points behind Juan Soto’s .896 for 11th among qualifiers. The Summer of George indeed.
James Wood (WSN): 5-5, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI.
Wood’s 23rd tater was an opposite-field shot off left-hander Dietrich Enns (361 feet, 105.2 EV). A booming line drive to right against righty reliever Carlos Hernández (114.5 EV, 262 feet) sealed the first five-hit game of his career. He’s fifth among qualifiers with a .958 OPS. He’s also on pace for what would be the fifth 40-home-run season in franchise history. There’s nothing left to say. His not being an All-Star starter is all the proof needed that the current voting system needs to be ditched pronto.
Zach Neto (LAA): 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 R, RBI, SB.
Neto took a 91 mph sinker from Bryce Elder for a ride to deep center, giving the Angels a 4-0 lead in the fourth (408 feet, 104.9 EV). That’s 13 home runs and a .798 OPS for Neto, the latter good for seventh among qualified shortstops. Neto doesn’t have big bat speed (42nd percentile), but he’s smacking the tar out of the baseball anyway, and his 126 Power+ is a sight to behold. And, oh yeah, 14 steals in 67 games. Imagine if he didn’t miss the first three weeks?
Jurickson Profar (ATL): 1-4, HR, R, RBI.
Profar got the Braves on the board in the ninth, smashing a solo shot against lefty reliever Brock Burke (417 feet, 102.4 EV). I don’t think anyone knows what to expect from Profar, considering he’s a 32-year-old coming off a career-high 24 home runs and an 80-game PED suspension. But, hey, two home runs in two games seems like a pretty decent start. At the very least, his career 15.8% strikeout rate should anchor his value in points leagues.
Thairo Estrada (COL): 3-4, HR, R, 4 RBI.
The 29-year-old righty journeyman’s second home run of the year came against lefty Brandon Walter, helping the Rockies avoid a sweep with a 7-6 win over the Astros. Estrada entered the afternoon at Coors, hitting .311 with an 84 wRC+. His career .254 batting average and 92 wRC+ isn’t exciting. However, Colorado’s second baseman could be useful in certain formats as a streamer in Coors, given that he has two 20-stolen-base seasons under his belt with a career 19.8% strikeout rate.
Ketel Marte (ARI): 1-4, HR, R, RBI.
Death, taxes, and Ketel Marte against lefties. Robbie Ray went the distance against his former club, but not before Marte tagged him for his 19th of the year (403 feet, 114.6 EV) with one down in the ninth. Splits against left-handers are notoriously fluky, but Marte has earned a 159 wRC+ since 2019, trailing only Aaron Judge (196), Paul Goldschmidt (174), and Yordan Alvarez (166). Marte is also tied with Brandon Lowe for the most dingers among second basemen, and he’s done it in 20 fewer games. Long may he reign.
Brooks Baldwin (CHW): 2-3, HR, R, 2 RBI.
Recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday after Luis Robert Jr. landed on the IL, righty-hitting Brooks Baldwin broke up Dustin May’s no-hitter with a hard single through the right side of the infield with one down in the sixth. He tortured May in his next at-bat, sending his 94 mph sinker into the seats, and breaking the shutout with his fourth tater of the year. Baldwin has struggled this year in the show, hitting .206 with a 56 wRC+, but his 191 wRC+ across 128 PAs with Triple-A Charlotte provides a glimmer of hope.
Jorge Polanco (SEA): 3-4, 2 2B, HR, R, RBI.
Hitting fifth, Polanco broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth by skying a 1-0 fastball from Seth Lugo 361 feet to right for his 13th of the season. The 31-year-old switch-hitter swatted nine home runs in April, but has hit the skids since, bottoming out with a 22 and 71 wRC+ in May and June, respectively. However, it’s probably fair to say that the knee injury has sapped him, especially considering he missed three straight games this past week.
Colt Keith (DET): 1-4, 2 R, BB.
Spencer Torkelson swatted his 19th of the season, a three-run shot during the Tigers’ 11-7 loss to the Nats. However, Keith, who played first last night, could be worth monitoring as Detroit’s leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers. He entered last night’s game producing reasonably well, hitting .258 with a 115 wRC+. He also showed a pretty solid PLV profile, including a 110 DV+ and a 110 Power+.
Addison Barger (TOR): 3-4, 2 2B, HR, R, 2 RBI.
After starting the scoring with an RBI double to left in his first at-bat, Barger launched his 11th home run of the season off righty reliever Clayton Beeter (401 feet, 108.2 EV). Barger’s .853 OPS would rank second behind only Eugenio Suárez (.879) among qualified third basemen, and his 119 Power+ backs his big breakout. I guess the only blemish might be his production against left-handers: a 79 wRC+ and no home runs. Still, 39 plate appearances isn’t much of a sample size.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Featured image by Aaron Polcare (@abeardoesart on Bluesky and X) and adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
