In a season where the New York Yankees are dominating the AL East, the biggest dilemma isn’t injuries or underperformance—it’s an abundance of talent, especially in the outfield. With Aaron Judge firmly holding down one spot, the competition for the remaining outfield roles has ignited fierce debate among fans, and the latest SB Nation Reacts survey just poured gasoline on that fire.
The Yankees’ outfield depth chart is overflowing with capable stars—Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Domínguez—but only two spots remain beside Judge. The overflow has also complicated the designated hitter (DH) role, with first baseman Ben Rice making an unexpected leap, and veteran Paul Goldschmidt still swinging a powerful bat.
In a twist no one predicted, Grisham—long known for his defensive wizardry—has flipped the script. “He’s finally hitting like an All-Star,” one fan gushed. Grisham, who once ranked among the league’s best defenders, now sits in the 35th percentile for Outs Above Average with a -5 DRS. But fans are forgiving that drop thanks to his eye-popping offensive stats: a .929 OPS and a career-best 16.8% barrel rate. He’s also slashed his strikeout rate significantly, down to under 20%, giving him a new identity as a bat-first outfielder.
Meanwhile, Bellinger has been a stabilizing force with both the bat and glove. With a 91st percentile Outs Above Average, he’s the most reliable defensively among the trio and offers postseason experience that fans respect. Domínguez, while not as explosive at the plate, is considered a cornerstone of the Yankees’ future. He’s holding his own at the plate and developing quietly, free from the pressure of being “the guy.”
Fan polling revealed a surprising lack of support for rotating all four players through the lineup via the DH spot—only 5% endorsed that strategy. Instead, fans want Rice and Goldschmidt to split DH and first base duties, leaving one of the outfielders on the bench.
This “good problem” is now Aaron Boone’s headache to solve. But if fan sentiment is any guide, expect to see Grisham’s name penciled in more often—something no one saw coming just a few months ago.
