The New York Yankees are facing uncertainty as they grapple with inconsistent performances at first base, prompting Manager Aaron Boone to decide between veteran Paul Goldschmidt and newcomer Ben Rice. The ongoing debate revolves around which player can best fill the role to help the struggling team regain momentum this season.
Comparing Performance Trends of Goldschmidt and Rice
Paul Goldschmidt, now in his 37th season, has seen a sharp decline from his previous dominance as a future Hall of Famer. His splits against right-handed and left-handed pitchers have become problematic, with a marked drop in production during the second half of the season. Meanwhile, Ben Rice, in his first full major league campaign, began with promise but has similarly faced a downturn in performance, showing issues in his own splits that mirror Goldschmidt’s struggles.
Goldschmidt’s batting average against right-handed pitchers this year dips to .228, but improves significantly to .404 versus lefties. Additionally, his second-half batting average fell to .219 from a more robust .287 in the first half. Rice, a left-handed batter, has hit .187 against left-handed pitchers and .246 against righties, while also batting slightly lower in the second half at .224 compared to .235 earlier in the season.
Bench Contributions and Game Situation Performance
Neither player has been reliable off the bench. Goldschmidt’s batting average as a substitute is .214 over 18 plate appearances, while Rice has managed just .182 in 13 plate appearances. Their limited success in these roles suggests the Yankees can’t easily depend on either as a late-inning replacement.
Looking at when they perform best during games, Goldschmidt hits .311 during the middle innings (fourth through sixth), with Rice excelling more early in games, hitting .271 in innings one through three. In late-game scenarios (seventh through ninth innings), Goldschmidt again maintains the advantage with a .263 batting average compared to Rice’s .221.
Recent Months Highlight Goldschmidt’s Value Despite Decline
In July and August, a period considered challenging for Goldschmidt, he still posted a .260 batting average, slightly surpassing Rice’s .242 during the same timeframe. This suggests that despite his overall decline and injury concerns, Goldschmidt remains the safer option for the Yankees’ first base position once he recovers from his knee sprain.
Daily Impact and Future Outlook for the Yankees
While neither Paul Goldschmidt nor Ben Rice has offered a clear-cut solution due to their inconsistent splits and declining numbers, Goldschmidt’s experience and relatively stronger recent performance give him an edge. As the Yankees continue striving for a winning rhythm, how Boone manages first base could become pivotal to the team’s success moving forward.