Yankees Embrace Ben Rice as Their Next Catcher Solution

**The New York Yankees Eye Ben Rice for Catching Duties to Enhance Lineup Flexibility**

The New York Yankees are looking at Ben Rice as a way to shake up their offense. They’re getting ready to try him out as a catcher, which is a little unexpected, but maybe that’s what this lineup needs.

Giancarlo Stanton’s return pretty much closed off the DH spot for Rice. Paul Goldschmidt isn’t giving up first base any time soon, so manager Aaron Boone figures Rice’s best shot at consistent playing time is behind the plate.

Rice hasn’t caught much lately. Still, the Yankees seem genuinely optimistic about what he could bring, and this move could add a new wrinkle to a roster that’s already got plenty of moving parts.

The Yankees’ Catching Hierarchy: Why Ben Rice Is in the Mix

Austin Wells came out of nowhere to grab the starting catcher job this season. He’s done more than anyone expected, both with the pitching staff and at the plate.

J.C. Escarra, who used to play first base, has turned into a pretty solid backup. Some folks even say he’s better than Wells at pitch framing, which is wild when you think about it.

Still, the Yankees want to see what Rice’s left-handed bat could do if they add him to the catching mix. It’s a little risky, but sometimes you’ve got to take a swing.

Limited Opportunities Elsewhere

Rice just can’t catch a break finding a spot to play. Stanton’s back, so DH is gone, and Goldschmidt’s glove at first is basically glued on.

That leaves catching as Rice’s best shot, even though he’s barely done it this year. He’s caught five games, all when the stakes were low, but now the Yankees seem ready to see more.

Is Ben Rice Ready for Catching? Confidence from Within the Organization

Rice’s big-league catching experience is tiny, but catching coordinator Tanner Swanson thinks he’s got the right tools—if he gets enough reps. Swanson says Rice’s work ethic is top-notch, and he’s all in on learning the position.

Rice stays involved, whether it’s pregame meetings or catching bullpens. He’s putting in the work, even if there are still some questions about his defense.

Advanced Metrics and Offensive Potential

Rice started hot at the plate, but lately, it’s cooled off. The advanced numbers say he’s just been unlucky, not bad—lots of hard contact, not a lot to show for it.

The Yankees hope that if Rice catches more, his bat will heat up again. They could really use that extra jolt in the lineup.

Implications for the Yankees’ Depth and Trade Market

Bringing Rice into the catching picture does more than just add flexibility. It also messes with the team’s depth chart and could open up trade possibilities.

Escarra’s defense and decent bat have caught other teams’ eyes. If Rice proves himself, maybe the Yankees start listening to trade offers for their backup.

The Bigger Picture: Flexibility and Potency

The Yankees want to squeeze every bit of potential out of this roster. If Rice can handle the workload behind the plate, Boone suddenly has a lot more options when making the lineup.

A lefty power bat at catcher? That’s rare, and it could really give the Yankees something different as the season rolls on. Rice’s versatility might just be the card Boone needs up his sleeve.

What’s Next for Rice and the Yankees?

Right now, Aaron Boone isn’t saying exactly when Rice will start a game behind the plate. The Yankees seem to want to get this transition just right, and they’re moving at their own pace.

They’re prepping Rice carefully, probably aware that a move like this could shake up the roster in ways nobody’s fully mapped out yet. If things go well, it might even change the course of Rice’s career.

Rice has a ton of raw power, and you can tell he’s really working to get better defensively. It’s honestly pretty interesting to watch.

The Yankees seem convinced that investing in Rice will give them a more flexible lineup. I’d say it’s worth keeping an eye on—this could be a big move for 2025, or maybe it just fizzles out. Who knows?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Why the Yankees are finally ready for the Ben Rice experiment at catcher