Why Didn't The Yankees Develop Dominguez In Left Field Before Now?

The Yankees’ minor league development system continues to be a step behind in my opinion, and Jasson Domínguez’s struggles in left field are just another example of how their approach is fundamentally flawed. How is it that an organization with the resources of the Yankees is still playing catch-up when it comes to preparing their prospects for realistic major league roles? It’s as if player development is an afterthought—something they only address when they’re forced to, rather than proactively molding talent to fit their long-term vision.

Look at this situation with Domínguez. At the plate, he’s an absolute force. His power, switch-hitting ability, and bat speed all scream superstar potential. But his defensive struggles in left field? That’s a direct indictment of how the Yankees handle their young talent. 

If Domínguez isn’t playing center field, he simply isn’t comfortable. That’s how it feels anyway. And why would he be? Out of 298 games in the minors, he’s only been placed in left field 58 times. That’s a glaring failure in development.

I was at the barbershop yesterday talking to my buddy Dave, and he summed it up perfectly: “Why the hell didn’t they train Domínguez in left field last year?” He’s right. Why didn’t they? It’s not like the Yankees were oblivious to the fact that their major league outfield picture was going to change. Did they really think Juan Soto would come back? Did they not anticipate needing flexibility? Instead of preparing Domínguez for a likely role, they let him play almost exclusively in center, only to now force a crash course in left at the highest level.

It’s not just Domínguez, either. This is a recurring issue with Yankees prospects. How many times have we seen a young player struggle at a position they weren’t adequately prepared for? The organization continuously banks on natural talent rather than comprehensive development, and it always comes back to bite them. It’s almost like if they have a solid bat, the rest will fall into place on the defensive side, and not every player plays the same, dude.

Offensively, Domínguez is everything you want. Even in spring training, he’s showing why he’s been so hyped. His home run the other day? A 385-foot opposite-field shot on an outside curveball from the left side. His confidence at the plate is clear: “If I have a good swing, I can get it out anywhere.” But none of that will matter if he can’t hold his own in left field. His defensive shortcomings are evident, with multiple misplays both in the majors and now in spring training. He’s being forced to learn on the fly, and that’s not fair to him or the team.

This is exactly why the Yankees’ development system is always behind the eight ball. They react rather than prepare. They don’t build versatility into their young players’ skill sets until necessity forces their hand. That’s how I feel at least. And here we are, watching one of their top prospects struggle with something that should have been addressed in the minors long ago.

I believe in Domínguez. I think he can figure it out. But it’s frustrating that he has to do it this way—under a spotlight, in real time, when he should have been refining his skills at a lower level. Let’s hope he adapts quickly, because the Yankees’ inability to properly develop their talent is making his path to success much harder than it needs to be.