Yankees’ Unorthodox Leadoff Strategy Paying Off Early in the Season
In today’s game, teams often dive deep into advanced metrics and internal data to explain player performance. It’s not uncommon to hear that a low batting average can be chalked up to bad luck, especially if the player is consistently hitting the ball hard and having quality at-bats.
That’s exactly the case with Ben Rice, who impressed the Yankees during spring training with standout exit velocity stats. His performance earned him a near-daily role as designated hitter while Giancarlo Stanton recovers from elbow injuries.
The Yankees’ season has gotten off to a bit of a chaotic start, largely shaped by how they adjust to Gerrit Cole’s absence as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery, and how their younger players step up. Amid it all, Rice has emerged as a bright spot—especially notable considering the Yankees have already played 10 games in temperatures at or below 50 degrees.
He’s also part of an unconventional lineup experiment. Instead of placing their fastest players at the top, the Yankees have slotted Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe in the middle of the order, behind power hitters Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger. That has left Rice with opportunities in the leadoff spot, where he’s already made an impact—leading off five times, homering twice, and reaching base every time. Alongside Austin Wells and Paul Goldschmidt, who are both hitting above .300 and have hit leadoff homers themselves, Rice is helping reshape the top of the order.
On Saturday, Rice homered again—just after a crucial two-strike single sparked a five-run inning against the surging San Francisco Giants. The offense finally resembled the powerful team that belted 22 homers in their first six home games after a sluggish, cold stretch.
Rice first caught the Yankees’ eye last year while transitioning from catcher to first base. When Anthony Rizzo went down with a broken forearm last June at Fenway Park, Rice was called up as his replacement. He made headlines with a three-homer performance against the Red Sox on July 7, but finished with modest stats—a .171 average, six home runs, and 23 RBIs. However, it’s worth noting that even Aaron Judge hit just .179 during his first month in the majors back in 2016.
Exit velocity wasn’t widely discussed back then, but it’s become a key stat in recent years. Rice’s average exit velocity has climbed from 90.0 mph last season to 97.5 mph now—second only to Pete Alonso, who’s also off to a hot start for the Mets.
Despite his rise in the metrics, Rice says he doesn’t focus on the numbers. “I just trust myself and my instincts,” he said. And those instincts are what the Yankees are seeing pay off, especially given the solid contact he was making even during his struggles last year.
Manager Aaron Boone noted the signs were there early on. “He wasn’t always getting rewarded for good contact, but now he’s elevated his game,” Boone said. “He looks more mature—physically and mentally—and his at-bat quality has really improved.”
If Rice keeps performing at this level, he might save the Yankees from needing to find external help to bolster the lineup during Stanton’s absence.
“It’s the same guy we saw in spring,” said Bellinger. “He’s locked in—locked into his plan, his approach. He hits the ball incredibly hard. It’s impressive and a lot of fun to watch.”
