The Baby Bombers are BOMBING!

SEATTLE – For years now, the Yankees organization has been criticised and talked about for the way they develop young talent. I think that conversation officially needs to end. The second wave of the Baby Bombers have arrived. The second wave of the Baby Bombers, in my eyes is from 2023-present, beginning with the debut of Anthony Volpe.

Anthony Volpe

Volpe is in his third full year in the big leagues, the most of anyone on this list. He is certainly a polarizing character for Yankee fans. Before 2025, the defense was awesome, including winning the 2023 Gold Glove for the shortstop position, but the bat was not there. While he went through a solid two-week stretch of struggling during the 2025 season, the offensive numbers have not been horrific. They certainly need to be better, but the underlaying statcast metrics show that the numbers are on the way.

While the defense looks like it took a step back based on the eye test, he is certainly a good defender, not a great defender. The bat needs to continue to be more consistent.

Jasson Dominguez

The Martian made his MLB Debut on September first, 2023 and greeted future Hall of Famer, Justin Verlander with a two-run HR on the first swing he took in the big leagues.

Dominguez would play 7 games in 2023 before going in the IL, needing Tommy John Surgery, sidelining him for the rest of 2023 and the first part of 2024.

Dominguez would return to the big leagues in September of 2024, but saw inconsistent playing time because of his poor left field defense.

When Alex Verdugo departed in free agency, it was clear that Jasson Dominguez would most likely, and did, win the left field spot out of spring training. While Dominguez got off to a slow start in 2025, especially from the right side, he has been MASHING for the past two-three weeks now.

The splits between the right side and left side are definitely noticeable:

Lefty: PA: 86 | AB: 74| H: 24 | BA: .324 | OBP: .407 | SLUG: .541| OPS: .948| HR: 4| RBI: 14

Righty: PA: 48 | AB: 42| H: 5 | BA: .119 | OBP: .229 | SLUG: .286| OPS: .515| HR: 1| RBI: 5

The numbers are very different. Boone has blamed it on lack of at-bats from the right side, which could be the case, but some of the AB's from the right side are just downright non-competitive. He has begun to hit the ball hard from the right side, including a homer (One of Three on the night), so that's a good sign.

The defense for Dominguez has improved so far, but is still a work in progress. As long as the bat is still a constant threat and productive in the lineup, the defense will come.

Austin Wells

Since being called up to the majors, Austin Wells has quickly established himself as one of the premier defensive catchers in all of Major League Baseball.

His pitch framing, blocking ability, and growing rapport with the Yankees’ pitching staff have stood out, earning him praise from both coaches and analysts.

Behind the plate, he consistently demonstrates poise, awareness, and leadership far beyond his experience level — traits that are invaluable for a young backstop handling a high-pressure environment like New York.

Offensively, Wells has more than held his own. He brings a disciplined approach at the plate, showing an ability to work counts and make solid contact. While his power numbers are still developing, he’s delivered in key moments and shown flashes of the bat that made him a first-round pick. His balanced skill set makes him one of the more promising two-way catchers in the league and a potential cornerstone for the Yankees moving forward.

Ben Rice

In an era where player development can make or break a franchise, Ben Rice has emerged as a shining example of what the New York Yankees’ farm system is capable of producing. Drafted in the later rounds and once flying well under the radar of most prospect rankings, Rice has quickly climbed the organizational ladder — not just with raw talent, but with hard work, adaptability, and steady improvement at every level.

Heading int0 2025, Ben Rice put on 10 pounds of muscle and it has showed. Rice has been hitting the ball super hard in 2025, and the results are showing. He is above average

His success story is a validation of the Yankees’ renewed commitment to analytics-driven training, individualized coaching plans, and a more flexible approach to player growth. From swing adjustments to defensive versatility, Rice has checked every developmental box the Yankees have placed in front of him.

Now contributing meaningfully at the big-league level, Rice isn’t just a feel-good story — he’s tangible proof that the Yankees' player development pipeline is beginning to yield real results. The only question for Rice is, where does he play when Giancarlo Stanton returns to the lineup in a few weeks, because Rice's bat is one the Yankees simply can't be without.

The Baby Bombers being as successful as they have been for the Yankees so far is certainly a step in the right direction for the Yankees player development and analytics department. The Yankees look to continue this trend with top prospects like Ben Hess (RHP), Spencer Jones (L, OF) and George Lombard Jr. (R, INF).