TAMPA — Some questions still linger about Ben Rice’s future defensively, entering a year in which he is set to become the regular Yankees first baseman.
Offensively? Not so much, other than just how high his ceiling is with the bat.
The Yankees have been criticized for running back almost the same roster this year that fell short in the ALDS last October, but that often does not account for internal improvements from their young core. And while Rice is coming off the best offensive season of any of their younger hitters, he also may have the best chance of taking another leap to help bolster what was the best offense in the majors last year.
“I think he’s a great hitter, and I think we’re going to see him continue to establish himself as one of the game’s really good, legit, middle-of-the-order bats in a really good offense,” manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday. “I think he’s an outstanding hitter.”
