Can’t Leave Rice Out, or He’ll Get Cold

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  • By Nathan Baker

    Last Updated on June 13, 2025 10:52 am by Paul Williamson | Published: June 13, 2025

    Having too many quality players in one position is the best problem a general manager can have, and it’s usually a byproduct of excellent player development and roster construction, provided the team is well rounded enough elsewhere. The Yankees certainly are well rounded, with an injury riddled pitching staff still producing at an excellent level, and a surprisingly deep lineup protecting the historically unparalleled output of Aaron Judge.

    After missing out on the Juan Soto sweepstakes to their surging cross-town rivals, the Yankees pivoted to quantity over quality, filling holes in their rotation, bullpen and lineup, all with players of excellent pedigree. So far, Devin Williams hasn’t found success in New York, but Max Fried certainly has, currently standing as one of the Cy Young favorites in the American League. After a year where holes in the infield and left field festered, Brian Cashman addressed the team’s lineup needs with a great balance of veteran acquisitions (Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt) with priority playing time for Ben Rice and Jasson Dominguez.

    While no one comes remotely close to the 1.264 OPS of Judge (Goldschmidt’s .832 the next best), the Yankees are usually running out a lineup with every player’s OPS over .750, well above the league average of .712. While the lineup has some flexibility, much of their every day unit is locked into their places. Austin Wells has emerged as one of the better catchers in baseball, Goldschmidt is enjoying a resurgence at age 37, and Ben Rice has not only been raking as a DH, but he’s been one of the unluckiest hitters in baseball. Placing in the 95th percentile or better in xwOBA, xSLG, barrel rate and average exit velocity, he’s been unfortunate to only have an .802 OPS so far. His 60 point difference in batting average to xBA is the second largest in baseball, and he’s near the top of the league in pulled fly ball percentage.

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    June 13, 2025, 10:52 am