As the New York Yankees prepare for Giancarlo Stanton’s return from the injured list, a new challenge has emerged: how to keep Ben Rice’s bat in the lineup when designated hitter and first base are already spoken for.
The answer may lie in an unexpected place — behind the plate.
According to manager Aaron Boone , Rice could start getting occasional looks at catcher as early as this week. It’s a surprising development given that Rice hasn’t appeared at the position all season, but not entirely out of the blue — he’s continued to do pre-game catching work throughout the year and spent most of his minor-league career as a catcher.
This shift could be key to keeping Rice involved in the everyday mix without disrupting the current lineup structure.
Why This Makes Sense for the Yankees
Rice, 26, has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the 2025 season. He’s slashed .240/.326/.495 with a 130 wRC+ across 57 games, showing both power and plate discipline.
But with Paul Goldschmidt firmly entrenched at first base and Stanton returning soon to reclaim the DH spot, opportunities for Rice were going to shrink.
Meanwhile, starting catcher Austin Wells has held his own offensively (.227/.294/.476 , 111 wRC+), but Rice brings a much bigger offensive upside.
Giving Rice even one or two starts per week behind the plate would allow him to remain a semi-regular contributor while giving Goldschmidt and Stanton regular days off without sacrificing production.
The Defensive Question
Of course, moving Rice back to catcher isn’t just about offense — it’s also about defense.
He was drafted as a catcher and played the majority of his minor-league games there, but hasn’t gotten any game action at the position this season.
There are risks: if he struggles defensively, the experiment could be short-lived.
Still, it’s worth trying, especially with veteran backup J.C. Escarra available to serve as a traditional safety net behind Wells.
Boone acknowledged the challenge, but sees this as an opportunity for Rice to show what he can do.
“It’s something we’re definitely exploring,” Boone said. “Ben’s shown he can hit. If he can hold his own behind the plate, that opens up a lot of possibilities.”
What This Means for the Future
While Rice is unlikely to overtake Wells as the full-time starter behind the plate this season, the long-term picture becomes more interesting.
Goldschmidt is set to become a free agent after 2025, and Rice could be a natural fit at first base in 2026 and beyond.
But for now, the focus is on maximizing his value in 2025 — and that might mean splitting time between DH, first base, and now, catcher.
It’s a creative solution to a real problem, and one that could pay off in a big way if Rice adapts quickly.
The Yankees have always valued versatility, and this potential move shows why.
By giving Ben Rice a shot at catcher, they’re finding a way to keep one of their hottest bats in the lineup despite positional logjams.
If the transition goes smoothly, it could be a win-win — for Rice, who gets more playing time, and for the Yankees, who get more flexibility.
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