Rachel Balkovec has developed a solid relationship with high-profile Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez and could lead him in 2022 on the Tarpons.
“I always want to draw attention to him as a person,” said Balkovec, who was recently named manager of the Yankees’ Low-A branch in Tampa, said of Dominguez. “I think the conversation is really, ‘OK, he can hit the ball hard. We all know that. ‘ But I think once people understand what kind of person he is, he’s a phenomenal person in the clubhouse. His aptitude is so high. He wants to learn. “We’re literally doing English classes out of season right now. He and I don’t even talk much about baseball. We are talking about English lessons so he can be a better person in the clubhouse. Be a leader for Latin American and American players in its future.
Dominguez, 18, reduced a combined .252 / .353 / .379 with five homers in 56 games, first with the Florida Complex League Yankees, then the Tarpons. Yankees vice president of player development Kevin Reese said the team has not decided where Dominguez will start his 2022 campaign.
“The output speeds, the speed, some of the measurables that we do on the performance science side, that’s it. [what we thought it could be]”Said Reese. “Then we just want him to play baseball more. All the skills are there, all the capabilities are there and we are also extremely excited about what he is going to do in 2022. “
.
