I am doing a series where I offer up three fantasy baseball questions for every MLB team. I look at under-the-radar stats, playing time projections, projected roles, and off-season news to try and highlight the issues facing you in your 2025 fantasy baseball drafts. We’ll do this thing in divisional order, and this time around I’ll consider three questions for the 2025 New York Yankees.
3 Fantasy Baseball Questions for the 2025 New York Yankees
Is Jasson Dominguez the 2025 Rookie of the Year?
It feels as if Jasson Dominguez has been at the top of prospect lists for a few years now. In 2025 though, we’re finally going to get the chance to see what the outfielder can do.
Dominguez has been a professional since 2021, so it’s easy to forget that he’s still just 22 years old. The outfielder has struggled with some injuries, but at this point, there’s really nothing more he can do in the minor leagues. Unfortunately, the biggest issue for Dominguez isn’t fantasy baseball related as he adjusts to the defensive aspect of playing left field. That also generates a concern that it will have a negative impact on his offense.
He’s shown both power and speed in the minor leagues, and those tools should carry through. Last year, Dominguez hit just .179 in 18 games with two home runs, but he did steal five bases.
You can’t go wrong chasing the tools, but there’s likely going to be more inconsistency. Strikeouts are going to be an issue, but there’s also a real upside. Just don’t be too aggressive in chasing it.
Is Paul Goldshmidt Really Done?
While I’d like to give a definitive answer, we’re likely in a gray area with Paul Goldschmidt. He’s not the elite first baseman he once was, but there’s also something left in the tank here. It’s also possible that the move to New York, and favorable park conditions, will benefit Goldschmidt as well.
In the first half of 2024, Goldschmidt hit .230 with 37 RBI, but he did have 13 home runs in 92 games. Over 62 games in the second half, he hit nine home runs while boosting his average to .271 and driving in 28 runs. It’s not All-Star level production, but still solid.
We have seen Goldschmidt’s strikeout totals rise over the last three years up to 26.4% which has limited his production. The other concern is that Goldschmidt’s ISO has decreased to .169. However, his 10.6% barrel rate and 48.1% hard-hit rate do offer up some optimism. You can do worse at the corner infield spot than the veteran, just don’t expect fireworks.
Will Ben Rice be a Hidden Source of Value?
When the Yankees promoted Ben Rice last season, that was certainly the expectation. In 79 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Rice hit .273 with 24 home runs and 59 RBI which certainly generated optimism.
However, in 50 games with the Yankees, Rice hit only .171, but he did have seven home runs and 23 RBI. We know that adjusting to life in the big leagues isn’t always easy, but Rice did have a .186 BABIP. That also came with a .235 xBA which does generate some optimism. If we want to continue with the good feelings, Rice had a substantial gap between his .349 SLG and .459 xSLG. That also came with a 15.6% barrel rate.
Based on the off-season work Rice put in, early indications are that he’s in a position to bounce back. Of course, he needs to be given a chance to do so. The fact that Giancarlo Stanton is going to start the season on the Injured List does open up at-bats at DH, and Rice could be in a position to take advantage of that situation. Having catcher eligibility only helps from a fantasy perspective if you are digging deep to start the season.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
