The New York Yankees didn’t have to look far for their next homegrown star. What started as a temporary fix at first base turned into one of the most promising developments of the entire season. Ben Rice, the young left-handed 1B/C, took full advantage of his opportunity and gave the Yankees something they’ve been searching for — a controllable, middle-of-the-order bat with legitimate power.
Rice made his first big impression in 2024, stepping in after Anthony Rizzo’s injury and flashing intriguing upside. He hit seven homers with 23 RBIs in 50 games, though his production dipped late. In 2025, he erased any doubt.
A breakout season that changed everything
Across 138 games, Rice slashed .255/.337/.499 with 26 home runs and 65 RBIs, producing a 133 wRC+. That means he was 33 percent better than the average hitter — an elite mark for a player in just his second season.
What stood out most was how consistently Rice hit the ball hard. He ranked in the 92nd percentile or better in barrel rate, average exit velocity, and hard-hit percentage. In simple terms, when Rice made contact, it sounded different. Yankee Stadium, a haven for left-handed power, seems built for his swing.
Down the stretch, he became one of the team’s most reliable hitters. In August, he posted a .905 OPS, followed by an even better .931 OPS in September. Over the second half, Rice looked like a player who wasn’t just getting comfortable — he was taking over.
Refining his game
Defensively, Rice remains a work in progress. He logged -2 defensive runs saved and one out above average over 370 innings at first base, which isn’t bad for someone still adjusting to full-time duty. The Yankees see him trending upward in that department, and more reps should help smooth out the edges.
Behind the plate, he’s seen as an emergency option rather than a long-term catcher, but his athleticism and instincts could make him at least serviceable if needed. For now, his focus is first base — and his bat more than justifies it.
Rice also flashed impressive discipline at the plate. He ranked in the 91st percentile in chase rate and posted above-average numbers in both whiff and strikeout rates. With runners in scoring position, he produced a .794 OPS and 41 RBIs, showing poise in high-leverage moments that belied his inexperience.
A rising star the Yankees can’t afford to move
Rice’s emergence hasn’t gone unnoticed around the league. Teams have been calling the Yankees frequently to inquire about him, but general manager Brian Cashman isn’t biting. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, “Ben Rice has been about the most popular Yankee in trade talks. Teams have been asking about him regularly but the Yankees are understandably extremely reluctant to deal him.”
That reluctance makes sense. Rice is under team control until 2031 and looks like a long-term piece for a franchise that’s been desperate for young, affordable hitters who can anchor the lineup.
If the Yankees get a full season of the version they saw in the second half of 2025, Rice could become one of baseball’s premier left-handed power bats — and another cornerstone in the Yankees’ next great era.