The New York Yankees have been hit hard by injuries this spring, with the pitching staff absorbing most of the damage—but key position players haven’t been spared either.
Among them is veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who began the season on the injured list with elbow issues in both arms. His return remains uncertain, leaving a significant hole in the Yankees’ lineup.
However, Stanton’s absence has opened the door for Ben Rice, who has impressed the organization with both his physical transformation and performance.
After a tough debut last season, Rice hit the gym hard during the offseason, adding noticeable muscle and refining his approach at the plate.
That work appears to be paying off, as he’s shown increased power and poise in early action this year.
The buzz around Rice is growing, with The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner making one of the boldest predictions of the season. In his Opening Day feature, Kirschner suggested that Rice could not only hit 30 home runs but also compete for a spot in the American League All-Star Game.
He highlighted Rice’s offseason gains as a key factor, noting that the 25-year-old is now a legitimate power threat in Stanton’s absence.
While it remains to be seen whether Rice can sustain this momentum, the Yankees are certainly encouraged. The Athletic even gave Kirschner’s prediction the highest possible “boldness” rating—three fire emojis.
If Rice continues trending upward, he could become one of the breakout stories of the 2025 MLB season and provide much-needed pop in the Yankees’ lineup while Stanton recovers.
