Yankees' Jasson Dominguez Tries 'Something New' for Powerful Result vs. Lefty

Dominguez's first-inning home run against Tanner Banks featured a different swing than he had used against southpaws in the past.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Jasson Domínguez, the Yankees' highly touted prospect, hit a first-inning home run against Tanner Banks, a left-handed pitcher, during a spring training game. Domínguez, a switch-hitter, has struggled against lefties in his career, but he tried a different approach in this at-bat, taking a step forward instead of his usual large leg kick. The result was a powerful home run to left field, and Domínguez said he was "just trying to try something new" after struggling against lefties.

Why it matters

Domínguez's ability to hit left-handed pitching will be crucial to his success in the major leagues, as the Yankees do not have an opening in their outfield barring injury. If he can improve his performance against lefties, it will increase his chances of making the Opening Day roster or earning a call-up during the season.

The details

Domínguez jumped on a 1-2 four-seam fastball from Banks on the inside part of the plate and launched it to left field for a home run. His front foot did not jump, as he took a step forward rather than using the large leg kick he had displayed last season. Domínguez said he was "just trying to try something new" after struggling against lefties in the past, hitting just .204 with a .569 OPS and one home run in 104 plate appearances last year.

  • On March 10, 2026, Domínguez hit the home run against Banks during a spring training game.

The players

Jasson Domínguez

A highly touted Yankees prospect who is trying to improve his performance against left-handed pitching.

Tanner Banks

A left-handed pitcher for the Phillies who Domínguez hit a home run against during a spring training game.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the Yankees, who discussed Domínguez's approach against lefties and the competition for the final spots in the team's bullpen.

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What they’re saying

“Just trying to try something new. When you're doing bad, you're already at the bottom.”

— Jasson Domínguez (nypost.com)

“He's still a better left-handed hitter, but there's no reason to think that over time, the right side can't come up because he's got power on that side, he's got plate discipline, it's just a matter of continuing to gain experience.”

— Aaron Boone, Manager (nypost.com)

What’s next

Domínguez will likely have to prove himself against both left-handed and right-handed pitching with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, as the Yankees do not have an opening in their Opening Day outfield barring injury.

The takeaway

Domínguez's ability to hit left-handed pitching will be crucial to his success in the major leagues, and his willingness to try something new in his approach against lefties shows his determination to improve in that area. If he can continue to make adjustments and gain more experience against southpaws, it could increase his chances of earning a spot on the Yankees' roster.