Jasson Dominguez overran a fly ball in left field to allow two runs to score on Wednesday night, a costly miscue that was not his first in the outfield since being called up by the Yankees earlier this month.
The latest misplay led Sal to say that the hype for the team’s top prospect needs to simmer down, at least for this season.
“They have a problem in left field. I could have barehanded that ball last night,” Sal said. “Let’s stop comparing Dominguez to Mickey Mantle. The guy played seven games last year and everyone was comparing him to Mickey Mantle.
“If you’re a center fielder, how can you not play left field properly? This guy is a center fielder?”
With Dominguez struggling in left field, Sal says the question now has to be raised whether or not Alex Verdugo needs to be the everyday left fielder for the playoffs.
“Now the question is, do you value Verdugo’s defense with little to no offense, or do you want Dominguez’s bat in that lineup?” Sal said.
For Sal, he would take Verdugo at this point despite his prolonged offensive struggles, choosing to prioritize defense in October. BT originally wanted Dominguez, but now, he is changing his mind as circumstances have changed.
“I’m starting to lean towards Verdugo,” BT said. “Verdugo is still capable of turning on one for a three-run home run or a double down the line...the last thing you need is this young man trying to figure things out in front of 45,000 people and a pressurized atmosphere. And he’s not hitting great.”