Prospect Report: Dominguez Goes Deep, Hence Throws Scoreless Frame

Image credit: Jasson Dominguez (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jasson Dominguez, OF, Yankees: New York’s 20-year-old outfielder has had an excellent first turn in the Grapefruit League. That trend continued on Thursday, when Dominguez swatted his third home run of the spring, one behind Jarred Kelenic and Edmundo Sosa for the overall spring training lead. The latest blast left the bat at 106.8 mph (the third-highest exit velocity of the game) and traveled an estimated 399 feet. 

Eddinson Paulino, 2B, Red Sox: Paulino is one of the Red Sox’s stealthier prospects, and on Thursday he gave fans a small taste of his skills. He took an 87 mph fastball from DeMarcus Evans and swatted it an estimated 389 feet for his first spring training home run. As a 19-year-old last season, Paulino produced 58 extra-base hits, including 35 doubles, 10 triples and 13 home runs while stealing 27 bases. Those numbers made him one of just two minor leaguers with those totals in doubles and triples, and the only one with that many stolen bases.

Tink Hence, RHP, Cardinals: St. Louis’ top pitching prospect made his third appearance of the spring on Thursday, this time against the Nicaraguan squad preparing for its World Baseball Classic games. Hence held the opposition scoreless on no hits and a walk. He threw 11 of his 19 pitches for strikes and sat between 94-96 with his fastball while touching 97 twice. His one swinging strike came on a changeup. 

Ben Joyce, RHP, Angels: The owner of perhaps the most fiery fireball in the minor leagues, Joyce made his third appearance of the spring on Thursday. This time, though, it came against the stacked lineup of Team USA’s World Baseball Classic group. Joyce faced four hitters and retired three, with the only blemish coming on an error that allowed Kyle Schwarber to reach. He struck out two hitters—Angels system-mate Jordyn Adams and Mets hulking slugger Pete Alonso.