The New York Yankees aim to avoid being swept by the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon and have made a lineup adjustment. Instead of continuing with Anthony Volpe as the leadoff hitter, despite his June slump, newcomer Ben Rice will take on the role. Volpe, who has significantly improved defensively, has struggled offensively, falling below the league average in wRC+ (99) for the first time in 2024. While a lineup demotion might benefit Volpe, the focus is now on how Ben Rice will handle the leadoff position.
Rice has shown promise with his plate discipline, batted ball data, and contact skills. However, facing pitchers who often aggressively target hitters ahead of Soto and Judge in the order will be a formidable challenge.
Ben Rice Moved to the Top of the Yankees’ Lineup
Ben Rice has had a promising start with the Yankees, showcasing excellent plate recognition. In 14 games and 45 plate appearances, he has achieved a 116 wRC+ and a .378 OBP, swinging at 80% of pitches in the zone while chasing only 17.6% of the time. While it’s uncertain if he can sustain his impressive plate discipline, he has demonstrated advanced pitch recognition.
This advanced recognition is a key reason for positioning him as the leadoff hitter. Rice combines in-zone aggression with the patience to avoid bad pitches. His quality of contact has also been strong, with a 9.4% Barrel Rate and a .406 xwOBACON, despite a slugging percentage that doesn’t fully reflect his contact quality. At the Minor League level, Rice was a significant power hitter with a pull-heavy flyball approach, which is expected to translate to the majors as he continues to hit for power.
Rice’s first game as the leadoff hitter will be against former Yankee Frankie Montas. Montas has had an inconsistent season, posting a 4.23 ERA and 4.44 FIP, with struggles against left-handed hitters (.351 wOBA). However, he found a rhythm in June, achieving a 3.55 ERA and a 24% strikeout rate over five starts.
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