TAMPA — The worst thing that ever happened to Jasson Domínguez was being nicknamed “The Martian.” The best might turn out being teammates with Amed Rosario.
There is a “very good player” potential in Domínguez. An All-Star Game or two, 20-20 player potential. But probably not “The Martian.” That nickname, though, and the heady comparisons that came when the Yankees gave him almost all of their international pool money in 2019 formed an otherworldly expectation only heightened when he homered in his first MLB at-bat in 2023 off Cooperstown-bound Justin Verlander.
Less than two weeks later, Domínguez needed Tommy John surgery. That initiated a phase of disrupted development, jagged play, hints of an upside and revelations of problems in the field and batting from the right side that culminated in his going from starter to mainly a bench piece over last season’s final two months.
That coincides with last July’s arrival of Rosario in a trade from Washington. He brought a needed righty bat who hit lefties, versatility and enthusiasm. For Domínguez, he brought much more. Because who could understand Domínguez’s descent better? After all, Rosario was the can’t-miss-being-a-superstar prospect in New York … who did miss.