ARLINGTON, Texas — Many theories have been cast as to why Jasson Domínguez wasn’t called up by the New York Yankees when rosters expanded on September 1, the biggest one being the Yankees were manipulating his service time.
That is not the case.
After some confusion over whether or not Domínguez would be eligible for a Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) draft pick if he were to win Rookie of the Year in 2025, it turns out he would not qualify because he has already amassed over 60 days of MLB service time. Domínguez earned 31 days of service in 2023 and started 2024 on the MLB injured list as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees did not take Domínguez off the MLB injured list until June, which means he was earning service during that time.
The only service time benefit the Yankees could get with having Domínguez remain in the minor leagues is keeping out of the Super Two designation, which allows a select group of players to become eligible for a fourth year of arbitration. That would be a stretch if it were a consideration for the Yankees.
Domínguez would retain rookie status for 2025 if he were to finish 2024 with under 45 days on the active roster (he has 31) and under 130 at-bats (he has 35). Staying under both thresholds would make him eligible for the Rookie of the Year Award, but there’s no tangible benefit for the Yankees if he were to win it other than a status symbol for the organization.
JASSON DOMÍNGUEZ! BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK JACKS IN THE FIFTH INNING! 💥
405 Ft. | 103.7 mph pic.twitter.com/jdCjlYogAr
— SWB RailRiders (@swbrailriders) August 31, 2024
The 21-year-old could be called up by the Yankees at any time and remains eligible for the postseason roster because he was on the team’s 40-man roster before September 1. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Domínguez is on the club’s radar with how well he has performed at the plate since returning from an oblique injury.
“I feel like he’s getting it rolling now a little bit,” Boone said. “But that involves some tough decisions there for a guy that hasn’t played a ton yet, even at the Triple-A level, let alone a week in the big leagues last year.
“Frankly, there’s probably no one higher on Jasson Domínguez than me. I think he’s going to be a great player in this league. I love the makeup. I love the person. So all I can say is he’s very much in the mix right now, but we’re not ready to make that move yet.”
What this all means is Domínguez not being in the big leagues has more to do with their belief in left fielder Alex Verdugo. The Yankees believe Verdugo gives them the best chance to help them win ballgames. Boone said on Monday he believes Verdugo should be in the Gold Glove conversation among left fielders, although public defensive metrics are split on his value. Boone also believes Verdugo has been better at the plate as of late.
Entering Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers, Verdugo’s 79 wRC+ ranked second-to-last among all left fielders with at least 250 plate appearances this year. The Yankees choosing not to replace him in their everyday lineup is an endorsement of Verdugo and gives him the next few weeks to see if he can get hot at the plate. If not, Domínguez is an option at any time.
“We’re paying attention to it,” Boone said of Domínguez’s development. “He’s on our board.”
(Top photo: Mary DeCicco / MLB Photos via Getty Images)
