The New York Yankees lost first baseman Anthony Rizzo for eight weeks due to an arm fracture last month in what turned out to be a major blow for the franchise. The first base was suddenly a revolving door with DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Jahmai Jones taking reps.
However, the Yankees put an end to the revolving door by calling up minor league first baseman/catching prospect Ben Rice to the big leagues, and the kid, despite having limited Triple-A appearances, exceeded the Bombers’ expectations. His consistency on the plate has forced fans to wonder if Rice is the permanent solution the team needs at first base.
Yankees Ben Rice Continues To Hit The Ceiling At First Base!
The New York Yankees have faced significant challenges with their infield throughout the 2024 season. Injuries, underperformance, and inconsistency have plagued their lineup, leading to a pressing need for a reliable solution. Ben Rice, a promising first baseman from the Yankee minor league system, has emerged as a potential answer to these problems. But can he truly solve the infield woes permanently? Shortly after Anthony Rizzo was placed on IL with an arm fracture, Rice made his major league debut at home. He swung a line drive to get his first base hit of his major league career. Since then, the prospect has hit .273 with two RBI in 33 at-bats in 12 games.
Ben Rice also has the team’s lowest strikeout rate (12.5 percent) and its fourth-highest average exit velocity (91.5 mph) behind formidable hitters such as Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton. An AL scout rated Rice highly by saying that he is performing exactly how he was advertised in minor leagues. The calm presence he has on the plate can never be thought of, and it comes naturally to him. Not only that, Yankees captain Aaron Judge also praised Rice for being tough in a challenging major league environment. “We saw what he was doing in the minor leagues, and it’s really translating well here,” Judge said. Of course, the Yankees will go after experienced solutions at the upcoming mid-season trade deadline. However, Ben Rice is an excellent option to cover first base until Anthony Rizzo eventually returns after recovering from a fracture in the second half.
Ben Rice Reveals Star-Struck Moment With Captain Aaron Judge
For a prospect coming from minor leagues, playing with the experienced and notable names could often be overwhelming. However, for Ben Rice, playing with Aaron Judge is a cool and memorable moment. Rice revealed that he grew up watching Judge smash baseballs all around the park on TV. But to be able to the share the same clubhouse is a surreal experience.
“To see what he’s doing right now, it’s special,” Ben Rice said. Not only that, Rice has assessed his own performance and stated that he is getting increasingly comfortable with hitting major league pitches. However, the Yankees prospect understands that the grind is still long, and he has to stay consistent to achieve success in his first season.
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