For the first 2.5 months of the 2024 MLB season, the New York Yankees were the best club in baseball. They’ve been at their worst ever since, going 5-16 since June 14. Rookie Ben Rice is confident in the team despite their recent setbacks.
After the Yankees’ 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, he talked about it.
When asked about the atmosphere in the Yankees’ clubhouse, Rice said, “I think we know we’re better than this, right? Obviously, I wasn’t here for most of the first part of the year, but everyone saw what we could do at our best. So, I think it’s just a matter of time before we turn things around.”
Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who watched New York lose to the Rays while preparing for the MLB Draft, also commented on the Yankees’ slump.
“It’s been a struggle, obviously,” Cashman said. “Thankfully, we started off really strong. Hopefully, that cushion will help us work through this, hopefully sooner rather than later, because it’s been a tough stretch for us.”
“We’re definitely as rough as they come right now, but you can hit some rough spots,” he continued.
Yankees rookie Ben Rice has impressed
Ben Rice (93), a first baseman for the New York Yankees, reacts after striking out against the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium.
Ben Rice, a rookie for the New York Yankees, has performed admirably since being brought up from the minor leagues. In a 14-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, Rice hit three home runs in a single game, creating franchise history.
Rice was called up to the Yankees in late June and has been performing exceptionally well. In 19 games, he’s hitting .267 with five home runs and 14 RBI, along with drawing eight walks and striking out 13 times.
The Yankees drafted Rice in the 12th round in 2021. Manager Aaron Boone has been highly impressed with Rice’s contributions to the team since he joined the MLB roster.
“You see the calm at-bats he takes,” Boone said. “He understands the strike zone. He doesn’t flinch much. Easy takes; you also see the pull-side power he possesses. He combines strike zone control with good barrel awareness and the ability to hit the ball in the air from both sides.
“He’s coming off an outstanding year in the Minor Leagues that put him on the map,” Boone continued. “He earned a trip to Spring Training and maintained that performance through the spring and into the start of the year. Since joining us, he’s provided quality at-bats every day.”
Ben Rice appears to be a significant part of the Yankees’ future.