Yankees’ outfield math doesn’t add up for Jasson Dominguez, Spencer Jones | Klapisch

TAMPA, Fla. — Patience is the last piece of advice MLB prospects want to hear on their way up the ladder, so forgive Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones for that thousand-yard stare when the conversational road leads to playing time in 2026.

Both outfielders are facing near-impossible odds of cracking the Opening Day starting lineup. Dominguez is backing up Cody Bellinger in left field. Jones is a rung below Dominguez on the depth chart and headed for Triple-A.

Don’t expect a word of protest, though. Like state-run television, the Yankees keep their story lines G-rated in camp. Neither Dominguez nor Jones is crazy enough to say anything they’d regret.

But it doesn’t take a genius to realize how impatient they must be. Dominguez, after all, got a taste of MLB in 2025, totaling 123 games and 429 plate appearances. But that was before Trent Grisham’s breakout power numbers — a career high 34 home runs — turned Dominguez into a reserve player.

Meanwhile, Jones raised his profile in the minors, playing all three outfield positions at Double-A and Triple-A. The 24-year-old slugger combined for 35 HRs, 80 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.

But there are only two ways Dominguez and Jones can catch a break.

The first is an injury. History tells us Giancarlo Stanton’s first breakdown is just around the corner. That would open up the DH spot for either Aaron Judge or Bellinger, creating room in left field.

The second possibility is Grisham’s regression to career norms, which would turn him into a late-inning defensive replacement.

The Yankees believe they’ve unlocked Grisham’s potential at the plate, and that his out-of-nowhere power was no fluke. The club made Grisham a $22 million qualifying offer over the winter precisely because of their faith that he’ll continue to take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short porch.

But that doesn’t mean Grisham was an especially tough out. A career .218 hitter, Grisham batted .235 during the regular season and was all but invisible in the playoffs, when he hit just .138 (4-for-29) with no home runs.

Just like Dominguez and Jones, the Yankees will be watching Grisham closely over the next five weeks. But make no mistake: the job is his to lose.

That means the kids will have to live with the dreaded credo: patience. General manager Brian Cashman delivered the kiss of death to Dominguez this week when he said the young slugger needs more than 100-150 at-bats a season to develop.

That was as good as handing Dominguez a ticket to Triple-A when the Yankees break camp next month.

“There are things I can control and there are things I can’t control,” Dominguez said in response Sunday morning. “I have to be ready if the opportunity is there. So my focus is staying healthy.”

Jones was slightly more direct in telling the Yankees he’s ready.

“I’m as confident as anyone in this room,” he said. “It’s just about going out there and proving it.”

At worst, both players will be in the mix in 2027. Grisham’s deal is for one season. No one expects him to return next year.

At best, Dominguez makes the best of an injury to Stanton (or anyone else in the outfield), and Jones destroys Triple-A pitchers in a way that makes it impossible for the Yankees to leave him in the minors.

After all, Jones is the Yankees’ most sought-after prospect. Cashman heard countless trade pitches for Jones this offseason.

The 6-7 outfielder has youth, athleticism, size and power, though strikeouts remain an issue. He struck out at a 35.4% clip in the minors last season. (Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon led all qualified MLB hitters last season with a 32.3% rate.)

But Jones does have the personality for the big market. Like Judge, he’s mature and confident, not afraid of being in front of the camera.

The Yankees admire the kid because, in Cashman’s words, “he’s earned a shot,” but makes the case without being a loudmouth.

As for Dominguez, he’s done everything the Yankees have asked, including playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic to work on his defense in left field.

The transition from center field, Dominguez’s natural position, has been brutal at times. But manager Aaron Boone says Dominguez’s athleticism will eventually pay dividends.

“I think (left field) is a place where he’s got a chance to be really good,” Boone said. “He just needs the experience and needs to keep the needle moving.”

Dominguez is too polite to point out the obvious Catch-22 in Boone’s assessment. How does anyone get experience without steady playing time?

That is, unless Boone was intimating that Dominguez is heading to Triple-A, where he and Jones will be teammates.

If so, Dominguez will be ready. It sounds like he’s already preparing for the inevitable.

“I know the decision isn’t mine, so I try not to worry about it,” he said. “People ask me about where I’m going to play, but what’s important is being mentally prepared.”

Jones has the same iron will to block out the noise.

“I hear about what’s being said about me from time to time, mostly from my family,” Jones said. “I just try to be myself. I tell everyone, ‘I’m okay.’

“And if I’m okay, things will take care of themselves.”

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