Ben Rice Emerging as Yankees’ DH Option with Stanton Sidelined
The Yankees will be without Giancarlo Stanton for the foreseeable future due to torn tendons in both elbows, creating an immediate vacancy at designated hitter as Opening Day approaches.
Ben Rice is making the strongest case to fill that role.
The sweet-swinging lefty crushed his second home run of spring training Friday night, taking Phillies veteran Taijuan Walker deep. It’s the kind of power display that’s becoming Rice’s calling card in the organization.
Rice has moved quickly through the Yankees’ system since being selected in the 12th round out of Dartmouth in 2021. Last season, he blasted 24 home runs in just 80 games split between Double-A and Triple-A before earning his first major league call-up.
His initial big league stint showed both promise and growing pains. While hitting just .171, Rice connected for seven homers in 178 plate appearances and displayed solid plate discipline with a walk rate above 10 percent.
He’s been slow out of the gate this spring average-wise, but those two home runs likely have him positioned as the frontrunner for the DH job while Stanton recovers.
Earlier this spring, Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered a telling assessment of Rice: “He’s going to be a real hitter in this league.”
That prediction might be tested sooner rather than later with Rice potentially stepping into a significant role for the Yankees on Opening Day. The former Ivy Leaguer’s power potential makes him an intriguing option to help offset Stanton’s absence in the lineup.
MORE: Yankees reveal Opening Day starter
