Amid the most hype for any international amateur ever, Domínguez signed for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 and quickly earned the nickname "The Martian" because of his out-of-this-world ability. While he hasn't lived up to reports of possible well-above-average tools across the board -- who could? -- he reached New York at age 20 last September despite losing his first full year as a pro to the pandemic. He homered off Justin Verlander in his first big league game and went deep three more times in his next seven contests before injuring his right (throwing) elbow and requiring Tommy John surgery that will sideline him until mid-2024.
Domínguez's signature tool is his prodigious power, which he generates with massive strength and tremendous bat speed from both sides of the plate. He looks to turn on pitches but won't maximize his home run potential until he drives the ball in the air more regularly. Scouts are confused by his approach, which can look disciplined at times and too passive at others, but the bottom line is that he draws more than his share of walks while also accruing plenty of strikeouts.
Built like an NFL running back at 5-foot-9 and considerably more than his listed 190 pounds, Domínguez looked a little less thick in 2023 than he did the previous season. He has solid speed and runs the bases well, enabling him to swipe 41 bags in 49 attempts last year, though his instincts aren't as sharp in the outfield. His reads and routes will have to improve if he's to remain in center field, and the more likely outcome is that he'll become a corner outfielder with solid-to-plus arm strength.
Perhaps the most hyped international prospect ever, Domínguez drew comparisons to Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout before signing for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic. He earned the nickname "The Martian" because of his otherworldly tools, and while he may have a difficult time living up to unrealistic expectations, he's on course to becoming at least a solid regular. He batted .273/.375/.461 with 16 homers and 37 steals in 2022 while advancing from Single-A to Double-A at age 19. He climbed from Double-A to New York this year, homering four times in his first eight big league games before he blew out his right (throwing) elbow and required Tommy John surgery.
A switch-hitter, Domínguez generates tremendous bat speed and exit velocities from both sides of the plate but has been more effective hitting left-handed in his first two pro seasons. He made significant progress last year, controlling the strike zone better and driving the ball in the air more regularly after he moved up from Single-A. He still needs a couple of more years to develop in the Minors but could be a .270 hitter with 30 homers per season in his prime.
Though Domínguez has slowed down some since getting stronger and thicker after turning pro, he still had the solid speed and instincts to swipe 37 bases in 44 attempts last year. His play in center field draws mixed reviews, with some evaluators believing he'll remain up the middle and others thinking his defensive inconsistencies will drive him to a corner. With his solid to plus arm strength and offensive promise, he'd have no problem profiling well in right field.
One of the most hyped international prospects ever, Domínguez signed for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019 after drawing comparisons to the likes of Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout. Also known as "The Martian" because of his out-of-this-world tools, he had his pro debut delayed when the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the 2020 Minor League season. He spent most of 2021 in Low-A Southeast, not dominating but holding his own as the circuit's second-youngest position player, and participated in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
While evaluators have reeled in their expectations a bit for Domínguez after his first pro season, he still has the chance to show at least solid-to-plus tools across the board. The switch-hitter generates tremendous bat speed from both sides of the plate and did more damage left-handed in his debut. He has prodigious raw power and produces high-end exit velocities, especially for a teenager, though he swung and missed more than expected in 2021 while facing much more advanced pitching than he ever had before.
Domínguez received some plus-plus speed grades from scouts when he signed but he has slowed down since getting considerably thicker, and there are some questions as to exactly how fast and athletic he'll be in the long run. He still has solid speed but will have to maintain his conditioning in order to remain in center field. With solid-to-plus arm strength, not to mention his offensive upside, he also profiles well in right field.
The most hyped and tooled-up international prospect in recent memory, Domínguez engenders comparisons to some of the best athletes in baseball history, such as Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout. The Yankees spent $5.1 million, all but $300,000 of their bonus pool and a franchise record for an international amateur, to sign him out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019. Some clubs officials thought he might be able to handle making his pro debut in low Class A at age 17 in 2020, but it became a moot point when the coronavirus pandemic scuttled the Minor League season.
Domínguez not only has the potential for well above-average tools across the board, but he also has the advanced instincts and skills to get the most of them. A switch-hitter, he exhibits a smooth stroke, tremendous bat speed and strength from both sides of the plate. With precocious feel for the barrel and a mature, disciplined approach, he should hit for power and average.
Domínguez's well above-average speed also allows him to make an impact on the bases and in the outfield. He has 30-30 potential, covers plenty of ground in center field and also features at least a plus arm. His quickness and arm strength would allow him to play almost any position and some teams even worked him out as a catcher, though putting him behind the plate would take a toll on his offensive output.
2020
The Yankees had $5.4 million in their 2019-20 international bonus pool, and they used $5.1 million of it to sign Domínguez out of the Dominican Republic last July. Scouts had been raving about his all-around talent for years, and New York gladly spent a franchise record for an international amateur to land him. He won't make his pro debut until 2021 but he already has earned comparisons to some of the best athletes in baseball history, such as Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout.
A scout willing to be aggressive could grade each of Domínguez's five tools as well above average, and his instincts are nearly as impressive as his physical ability. He's a switch-hitter who's loaded with bat speed and strength. He has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate, advanced feel for the barrel and a disciplined approach, so he should hit for power and average.
Domínguez also can influence the outcome of games when he's not standing in the batter's box. His well above-average speed gives him 30-30 potential and makes him a quality defender in center field. His quickness and plus arm would allow him to play almost anywhere on the diamond and some clubs even worked him out as a catcher, though moving behind the plate would detract from his offensive production.
The Yankees committed almost their entire $5.4 million 2019-20 international bonus pool to sign Dominguez for $5.1 million, a franchise record for an international amateur. Scouts have been raving about the Dominican's package of tools for years, with some saying it's the best they've ever seen from a teenager on the worldwide market. He's a long ways from reaching his ceiling but has earned comparisons to the likes of Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout.
While Dominguez has yet to prove himself against anything resembling big league pitching, he's equipped to do a lot of damage. He's a switch-hitter with easy bat speed and plenty of strength packed in his 5-foot-10 frame. He has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate as well as an advanced feel for hitting and a mature approach.
Dominguez also has huge upside out of the batter's box. He's a well above-average runner who could be a 30-30 threat while manning center field. With a strong arm and quick feet, he's suited to play almost anywhere on the diamond and some clubs even worked him out as a catcher, though that position would sap some of his offensive production.
Note: xHR tells how many of this player's home runs would have been out of other stadiums. The "Adjusted" view here accounts for different wall heights, distances and environmental effects using Statcast Park Factor data.
Standard
Year
HR
2023
4
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
1
2
3
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
3
4
2
2024
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
Player
6
4
4
4
3
4
5
3
3
2
3
4
6
4
4
3
4
4
3
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
2
2
5
6
4
Note: xHR tells how many of this player's home runs would have been out of other stadiums. The "Standard" view here accounts for different wall heights and distances but excludes environmental effects. It is based purely on the observed trajectory of the hit.
! Note: Shifts are through the 2022 season, Shaded starting from the 2023 season, Shift: three or more infielders are on the same side of second base, Shade: positioned outside of their typical responsible slices of the field. Learn more about how positioning is defined here
