New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Domínguez hit a home run in the first swing of his major-league career during a game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- New York officially selected Domínguez to the active roster prior to the game against Houston.
- He homered off Astros starter Justin Verlander to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
- The Yankees are 65-69, last place in the American League East.
JASSON DOMINGUEZ WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUES 🙌
It’s a home run in the first at bat for the 20-year-old during his MLB debut.
🎥 @Yankees
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) September 2, 2023
How Domínguez did it
Domínguez’s blast came on the second pitch he saw and on his first swing. After watching a 75.9-mph curveball from Verlander land for a strike, the future Hall of Famer tried to sneak a 94-mph fastball past the Dominican Republic native. It stayed up and away but in the zone, allowing Domínguez to extend his arms. He crushed his home run at 100.2 mph.
It was an incredible moment for Domínguez, one reminiscent of when Aaron Judge blasted a home run in his first MLB at-bat in 2016. Except Judge was a 24-year-old rookie. Domínguez is only 20.
And it came on a hectic day. More than a dozen of Domínguez’s family members were on hand for his debut. His parents, Felix and Dorka, were on the field with him before the game. He spoke with reporters crowded around his locker and then with the Yankees’ TV network just after taking batting practice in a group with Judge, Anthony Volpe and Giancarlo Stanton. — Kuty
Backstory
Domínguez was promoted to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 21 and had hit .444 with a .531 OBP and 1.124 OPS in eight games. Prior to getting called up, the 20-year-old was the Yankees’ top prospect and the No. 27 prospect in baseball according to The Athletic’s Keith Law.
Required reading
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
