Why Didn’t The Yankees Promote Their Top Prospect When Rosters Expanded?

In the days leading up to Sunday’s roster expansion, when major league teams were allowed to add one pitcher and one position player to their active rosters, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked if outfielder Jasson Domínguez was a possible candidate to join the team.

Boone hedged his answer, saying only Domínguez was being considered for a promotion. But the move seemed inevitable. In 11 Triple-A games since his last major league appearance on Aug. 18, the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect was hitting .362 (17 for 47) with two home runs, two doubles, one triple, and only six strikeouts.

Domínguez, 21, can play all three outfield positions, so his defensive utility wasn’t an issue.

Why did outfielder Duke Ellis get the call-up instead?

Ironically, the decision to promote Ellis — a 26-year-old playing for his third organization this season — might have demonstrated a stronger long-term endorsement of Domínguez.

“He will remain in the conversation moving forward,” manager Aaron Boone told reporters when asked about Domínguez on Sunday. “When he comes up here, we’re going to want to play him every day, so he’ll continue to remain in the conversation.”

Speaking last month about Domínguez remaining at Triple-A, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told MLB Network Radio, “It’s nice to know he’s there. He’s just knocking rust off and waiting for his opportunity if it comes.”

That opportunity hasn’t come yet because the Yankees have three outfielders they want to play every day: MVP candidate Aaron Judge in center field and Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto in the corners.

Verdugo’s production has lacked overall this season (.367/.387/.500), but he’s been more productive since moving down in the batting order in recent weeks. In eight games entering Monday, Verdugo is 11 for 30 (.367) with a home run, double, and two RBIs.

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The reason Domínguez remains at Triple-A could be simple: the Yankees want a franchise cornerstone to get regular at-bats somewhere — just not in the majors as long as their starting outfielders and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton are reasonably productive.

The Yankees’ front office might have an ulterior motive, as well. As reported by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:

Another piece of the behind-the-scenes calculus could involve Domínguez’s rookie status. Domínguez will retain that status for 2025, provided he does not exceed 130 career at-bats (he has 35 right now). Keeping him a rookie in ’25 may permit the Yankees to net a Draft pick after the first round in ’26 if Domínguez wins the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award.

If the latter is the case, it’s possible, if not likely, Domínguez will be recalled at some point in September. The International League regular season ends a week before the American League’s.

For now, the decision merely deprives Domínguez of major league service time at the expense of a less exciting player, and leaves Yankee fans to wonder if and when they’ll see the organization’s top prospect in the Bronx.