TAMPA, Fla. — Ben Rice was drafted as a catcher, made it to the massive leagues as a primary baseman and would possibly see time this season as a delegated hitter. Ask him which function he prefers, and the reply is straightforward: no matter will get his title into the lineup.
That may-do versatility guarantees to create alternatives this season for Rice, who belted a two-run homer within the Yankees’ 6-5 walk-off Grapefruit League victory over the Phillies on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Discipline.
“I’m simply persevering with to swing on the proper pitches, have good at-bats and making an attempt to hit the ball laborious,” Rice stated.
Rice actually did within the first inning on Friday, launching a Taijuan Walker cutter for a 111.6 mph rocket that cleared the wall in right-center area. Rice stated he added about 10 kilos of muscle in the course of the offseason, and to supervisor Aaron Boone, the adjustments have been noticeable.
“Final spring was my first time getting eyes on him, and I used to be actually impressed,” Boone stated. “I felt like, ‘Man, this man can hit.’ He’s undoubtedly extra bodily spectacular, and that’s a credit score to the work he’s put in. He got here in a notch extra bodily developed, and it reveals.”
The added bulk has the Yanks envisioning further energy from Rice, who hit seven homers with 23 RBIs in 152 at-bats final season, together with a memorable efficiency in opposition to the Pink Sox on July 6 — the primary three-homer sport by a Yankees rookie.
Rice’s scorching begin cooled, as he completed the season batting .171. However the group stays excessive on his energy, plate self-discipline and make-up; even this spring, Boone recommended Rice has not been rewarded for a few of his laborious contact.
“I do know I can produce at an elite degree,” Rice stated. “I do know I can do some actually cool issues.”
With lower than two weeks earlier than the Yankees head north, Rice stays in competitors with catchers J.C. Escarra (who additionally homered Friday) and Alex Jackson to function Austin Wells’ backup. Rice stated his focus coming into camp was to “present that I generally is a dependable catcher.”
“That was the most important factor, as a result of I knew I used to be going to be getting extra seems to be over there,” Rice stated. “Primary was simply going to be the power to handle an enormous league pitching workers, to confidently put together for video games and work with our pitchers. From a catching standpoint, receiving has all the time been my power, so [a focus was] to only proceed bettering on my blocking and throwing.”
He is also within the working for at-bats spelling Paul Goldschmidt at first base, a place the place Rice began 41 occasions final summer time with Anthony Rizzo injured. Non-roster invitee Dom Smith has the expertise edge at first base; Smith can be tied with Goldschmidt for the spring crew lead with 10 RBIs. Rice acknowledges he was “undoubtedly inexperienced” on the place.
“It’s humorous, I by no means actually labored on first base till I received to the massive leagues,” he stated. “Within the Minors, it was extra simply sport reps to get within the lineup one other couple of occasions per week. I realized that I’m an athlete; that I can go over there and do my job. There was nonetheless undoubtedly a little bit little bit of a studying curve and a few issues that wanted to be cleaned up, nevertheless it gave me confidence that I might be thrown into unfamiliar conditions and nonetheless be capable to adapt.”
And the chance that tasks to present Rice probably the most turns within the lineup proper now’s at designated hitter, since Giancarlo Stanton is ready to start the season on the injured listing and isn’t near resuming baseball actions. Rice stated if the Yankees resolve he’s the only option for the job, he’ll be prepared.
“It’s lower than me, proper?” Rice stated. “It’s as much as Boone and [general manager Brian Cashman]. However I’ll simply preserve taking it day-to-day.”
