Getty Image / Dustin Bradford
- 19-year old prospect Jasson Dominguez was seen practicing at the Yankees minor league complex in Tampa
- Dominguez was crushing the baseball during batting practice
- He then gave a full interview in English—a likely first as Dominguez’s primary language is Spanish
New York Yankees mega-prospect Jasson Dominguez was seen crushing the baseball at the Yankees minor league camp in Tampa earlier today. The 19-year old switch-hitting outfielder has barely played in the minors, yet he’s been one of the game’s most hyped prospects since signing with the Yankees at the age of 16.
Dominguez has been quoted by baseball officials as resembling Mike Trout, and even Micky Mantle. His nickname is “The Martian” thanks to his unreal athletic abilities.
Why Minor League Camps Are Happening in Baseball Right Now
It’s true the MLB lockout still has no end in sight, but there’s still professional baseball happening at the minor league level—specifically with the start of minor league minicamps. These minicamps give young players a chance to experience what it will be like when they someday report to MLB spring training.
Minor league players can report to these camps because they’re not on the 40-man roster of their MLB clubs, and because they’re not represented by the players’ union.
Video of Jasson Dominguez Crushing Homers at Yankees Minicamp
Simply put, Dominguez was putting on a show for reporters at the Yankees developmental complex in Tampa today.
Inject Jasson Dominguez crushing homers into my veins pic.twitter.com/I5Hgru8c8w
— Bronx Central (@BronxCentral) February 23, 2022
Jasson Dominguez doubles off the batter’s eye in center field: #Yankees pic.twitter.com/HW3ygGvYyF
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 23, 2022
Here’s another view of that batter’s eye moonshot.
Jasson Dominguez hits one off the batter’s eye, above the top of where the fence would be, during live BP. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/XYsfXfayCi
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 23, 2022
And here are some more photos Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch was able to get.
Jasson Dominguez at #Yankees minor league camp: pic.twitter.com/nkWAndRTE3
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 23, 2022
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 23, 2022
Watch: Jasson Dominguez Full Interview in English
Dominguez has also been putting in heavy work learning English—something many fans forget about when players outside the U.S. start playing professionally. Shohei Ohtani is another star we’re seeing learn English in real-time.
After workouts, Dominguez did what was likely his first full-English interview. Dominguez’s translator stood next to him and relayed the questions in Spanish, to which Dominguez then answered aloud in English.
This is truly awesome:
Yankees 19 yr old prospect, Jasson Dominguez, does an entire interview in English and you can see how proud both he and his translator are.
Behind the scenes, Latino players have English class almost every day. So cool to see this pic.twitter.com/r4lSewojHx
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) February 23, 2022
What’s awesome is you can see the excitement on his face after accomplishing the interview. It’s a great feel-good moment for viewers—especially for those who have experienced learning a new language.
Anthony Volpe’s New Nickname for Jasson Dominguez
One of the Yankees’ other top prospects, shortstop Anthony Volpe, is attending the minicamp. According to one reporter, Volpe said he and his teammates are calling Dominguez “mini Aaron Donald.”
Anthony Volpe said teammates call Jasson Dominguez "mini Aaron Donald." #Yankees
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 22, 2022
Volpe was also seen taking cuts during batting practice.
Anthony Volpe in the batter’s box: pic.twitter.com/OvBDD9JMoY
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 23, 2022
It’s looking like the future is bright for the Yankees’ best prospects.
Hopefully the MLB and the MLBPA will have a deal done soon so guys like these can get a chance at big league time.