Yankees’ Aaron Boone Makes Bold Ben Rice Statement Amid Subway Series

The New York Yankees misplaced 6-3 to the New York Mets on Saturday at Citi Field, a irritating lead to Game 2 of the Subway Series. The loss dropped New York to 28-18 on the season.

The larger image, although, has not modified. This remains to be among the best rosters within the American League, constructed round a core that has absorbed accidents and stored successful anyway.

Before the sport, supervisor Aaron Boone provided a reminder of one of many the reason why. Asked about Ben RiceBoone did not maintain again.

Boone Makes Bold Ben Rice Statement

“I think he’s turning into one of the best hitters in the league,” Boone said.

That is just not a small assertion.

Boone has seen sufficient scorching streaks to know the distinction between month and an actual change. His level was not simply that Rice is producing. It was that Rice is changing into one thing larger than the Yankees could have anticipated when he first got here by the system.

Boone at all times believed Rice may hit. What you might have modified is the ceiling. Rice is now not simply validating the scouting report. He is stretching it.

Rice’s Numbers Back Up Boone

The Boone case made is just not tough to help.

Rice entered Saturday with 14 dwelling runs and 30 RBIs whereas hitting .314 with a .418 on-base share. His .686 slugging share and 1.104 OPS led all of baseball.

That is not only good manufacturing. That is star-level manufacturing.

The firm he’s maintaining with Judge makes it even tough to dismiss. Through the Yankees’ first 45 video games, Rice and Judge turned solely the second pair of teammates in franchise historical past to every attain at the least 14 dwelling runs that rapidly.

Rice has additionally answered one of many greatest questions connected to his profile. Last season, left-handed pitching may nonetheless create issues for him. This yr, that weak spot has not appeared like a weak spot in any respect.

His OPS in opposition to lefties entered Saturday at 1.092, practically matching the harm he has accomplished in opposition to right-handed pitching.

gettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 15: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees reacts after hitting a solo dwelling run throughout the ninth inning in opposition to the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 15, 2026 within the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

Rice Is Helping Fill Yankees’ Soto Void

When Juan Soto left the Yankees for the Metsthe query was by no means whether or not New York may substitute him instantly.

The query was whether or not the Yankees may nonetheless construct a harmful sufficient lineup round Judge to stay among the best groups within the American League. Rice has helped reply that in a method few may have anticipated.

Rice sporting No. 22 provides one other layer, even when the Yankees would by no means body it that method. Soto He wore that quantity in The Bronx earlier than taking it throughout city. Rice now wears it whereas giving the Yankees the type of left-handed thunder they wanted after Soto’s exit.

gettyJuan Soto of the New York Mets. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Final Word for the Yankees

The Yankees dropped Saturday’s recreation 6-3, however the bigger story has not modified. Rice has spent the primary six weeks of the season turning a promising bat into one of the crucial harmful offensive profiles in baseball.

He is hitting lefties and righties. He is hitting for energy and controlling the zone. He is giving Judge the type of lineup companion the Yankees badly wanted after Soto left.

That’s what Boone sees.

Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports activities journalist masking the NBA for Heavy.com, with a give attention to the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He beforehand wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith relies in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins