A left-field platoon is the last thing the New York Yankees should contemplate for the playoffs. However, manager Aaron Boone stated on Tuesday that he is unsure who would be the primary starting in the outfield, implying that he may take a matchup-based approach.
The Yankees’ Left Field Platoon: Pros and Cons
Boone’s method could result in Alex Verdugo and Jasson Dominguez splitting playing time based on opposing pitching. While this provides flexibility, it also risks upsetting both players’ momentum, especially in high-stakes playoff games.
Dominguez, a right-handed batter, suffers against left-handed pitching, which produces significantly greater power on the left side.
Similarly, Verdugo’s splits versus left-handed pitchers are concerning, as he has batted just.228 this season, with only two home runs in 167 at-bats. With Dominguez hitting.111 against lefties, albeit in a short sample size of 18 at-bats, Boone must make a difficult decision about who to trust against southpaws.
Power and Speed vs Plate Discipline
One important element to examine is how each participant can influence the game. Dominguez is the better base runner and possesses more power, giving him a potential game changer with a single swing.
Verdugo, on the other hand, excels at plate discipline while having one of the league’s lowest slugging rates. He ranks 92nd in whiff rate and 88th in strikeout rate, indicating a more disciplined approach at the plate.
Despite this, Verdugo’s.233/.291/.356 slash line this season is significantly lower than his career averages as a somewhat above-average offensive performer.
While Dominguez has struggled to transition to the major leagues, his 16.4% walk rate and 84 wRC+ (only 1% higher than Verdugo’s 83 wRC+) indicate that he has space to improve, especially as he becomes more accustomed with MLB pitching.
Defensive Considerations
Dominguez’s defensive performance has been inconsistent, which may explain Boone’s reluctance to declare him a daily starter. However, an early promotion could have given him the opportunity to adjust to the demands of big-league defense.
A possible option would be to change the outfield configuration, moving Dominguez to center, Juan Soto to left, and Aaron Judge to right, allowing each player to play to their strengths while increasing defensive coverage.
Dominguez’s Intangibles
In addition to his power and speed, Dominguez has the ability to influence the game just by getting on base, which the Yankees may use during crucial playoff moments. Meanwhile, Verdugo provides sporadic hits and solid defense but lacks the slugging ability required to blow up close games. His 49.3% ground ball rate, which is his highest since 2021, has hampered his offensive production.Momentum is crucial while making playoff decisions.
While Boone’s decision on a starter may go either way, much will be determined by who the Yankees face in the ALDS. Matchups will most certainly impact the decision, but denying a player the chance to gain momentum may backfire. Both Verdugo and Dominguez have struggled with consistency down the stretch, owing to inconsistent playing time.
To succeed in the playoffs, whoever is chosen for left field must play consistently and every day in order to reestablish rhythm and form. A platoon, while adaptable, may break the flow required for either player to excel on baseball’s grandest stage.
