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The New York Yankees are making a bold move by giving Ben Rice a shot at the big leagues. With Anthony Rizzo out for four to six weeks due to an injury, the Yankees are turning to Rice to help fill the void at first base, as reported by The Post's Joel Sherman.
Rice, a 25-year-old first base/catching prospect, has been having a solid season in the minors, hitting .275 with 15 home runs and 36 RBIs while playing for Double-A and Triple-A teams. He has also been impressive in his recent stint in Triple-A, boasting a .333/.440/.619 slashline in 11 games.
The timing of Rice's promotion is crucial as the Yankees gear up to face the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series with significant AL East implications. This opportunity comes as a result of Rizzo's injury, which leaves the Yankees in need of a long-term solution at first base.
In choosing to promote Rice, the Yankees seem to be prioritizing potential upside over simply shuffling their current lineup. Instead of opting for an easy fix by moving struggling D.J. LeMahieu to first base and filling third base with other options, the team is eager to see if Rice can maintain his hot streak at a position where the Yankees have lacked consistent production this season.
Yankees need to boost their first base production
The decision to bring up Rice reflects the team's desire to address the ongoing struggles at first base. So far, Yankees first basemen have collectively produced a .642 OPS this season, ranking as the sixth-lowest in MLB. This underperformance has put pressure on the team to find a solution, and they are hoping that Rice can step up to the challenge.
In light of this move, it's evident that the Yankees are placing their faith in Rice's potential to make an impact at the major league level. As he s the team, all eyes will be on him to see if he can rise to the occasion and provide the offensive spark that the Yankees desperately need at first base.
In the words of Joel Sherman: "Rice's call-up is a clear indication that the Yankees are looking for a much-needed boost at first base, and they believe he has the potential to deliver." This opportunity presents a significant moment in Rice's career, and it will be exciting to see how he seizes the chance to make his mark in the big leagues.