Yankees Fans Excited About. New York Yankees fans are fully backing Ben Rice as the team’s new designated hitter.
Rice, who turned 26 in February, is stepping into the DH role due to Giancarlo Stanton’s elbow injuries. Instead of acquiring another hitter or shifting Aaron Judge to DH, the Yankees are moving forward with Rice, a 12th-round pick from 2021, as a key part of their lineup.
His performance this spring has justified the decision. Over 61 plate appearances, Rice posted a .278 batting average with five home runs and nine RBIs. This marks a significant improvement from his rookie season, where he hit just .171 with a .264 on-base percentage in 50 games. Heading into Sunday, he had raised his OBP to .350.
Rice continues to impress, recently smashing a 113.8 mph double against the Detroit Tigers.
Yankees Fans Excited About New Starter’s Impressive Spring Performance Before Opening Day
“Ben Rice could be the most fun, pleasant breakout of the 2025 Yankees,” WFAN host Lori Rubinson posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Another fan commented, “If Ben Rice keeps hitting like this into the regular season, Stanton’s absence won’t be as painful.”
Although Rice was a catcher in the minors, he is expected to only play DH and first base. The Yankees announced that minor-league veteran J.C. Escarra will back up Austin Wells at catcher.
“Ben Rice is locked in right now,” one X user noted. “If he can carry this into the season, it’ll be a huge help.”
Meanwhile, Yankees GM Brian Cashman suggested the team may still add a right-handed bat before Thursday’s season opener against the Brewers, though it’s unclear how that might affect Rice, who bats left-handed. Yankees Fans Excited About Ben Rice’s Strong Spring Performance Ahead of Opening Day.
One fan summed up the excitement: “Who needs an aging, injury-prone Stanton when we have the young, healthy Ben Rice smashing home runs almost every game?”
