Chelsea vs Manchester City 16 May 2026
NEW YORK — Will Warren had a front-row seat to Ben Rice’s quiet climb through professional baseball, watching him develop from a little-known prospect into a key piece of the New York Yankees lineup after both were selected in the 2021 draft just rounds apart.
Back then, Rice was a full-time catcher out of Dartmouth, consistently punishing pitchers at every level without drawing much attention. By the time he reached the majors in June 2024, the foundation was already there. Even last season, when his hard contact didn’t always translate into results, those close to him saw what was coming.
So his early surge in 2026 hasn’t caught Warren—or many inside the organization—off guard.
“It’s just balancing out now,” Warren said with a grin.
While it’s still early in the season, Rice has been electric, thriving in the cleanup spot with a combination of power, patience, and consistency. His production stands out not only in traditional numbers but also in advanced metrics like expected weighted on-base average and hard-hit rate. Even in a recent loss to the Oakland Athletics, he accounted for the Yankees’ only hit.
On a roster filled with high-profile stars and established names, the 27-year-old has quickly transitioned from an overlooked contributor to a central figure for a team with championship ambitions—all in just his second full MLB season.
Yankees hitting coach James Rowson points to a mix of experience and confidence as the difference.
“Last year, he was hitting balls hard that weren’t falling. Now they are,” Rowson said. “More importantly, he understands he belongs here. That belief changes everything.”
Rice’s potential has been evident since his rookie campaign. One standout moment came on Independence Day 2024, when he launched three home runs at Yankee Stadium against the Boston Red Sox—a special performance for someone who grew up nearby in Massachusetts as a Yankees fan.
His first full season in 2025 confirmed his upward trajectory, delivering strong power numbers and consistent offensive production as he secured the everyday first base role. Yet within the organization, there was a clear sense that another level remained untapped.
Veteran Paul Goldschmidt, now part of the same clubhouse, sees a complete hitter taking shape.
“He does everything you want—controls the zone, hits the ball hard, uses the whole field,” Goldschmidt said. “And he keeps working. That’s the scary part.”
Rice’s journey hasn’t been linear. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his college career, forcing him to find alternative ways to stay visible. Scouts like Matt Hyde first noticed his raw power in summer leagues, where his home run ability stood out immediately.
With limited opportunities behind the plate in a system crowded with catchers, Rice adapted, learning first base on the fly once he reached the majors. Now, with a defined role and a full season ahead, that uncertainty has been replaced by stability.
“This year, there’s a different mindset,” Rice said. “I know I’m here, I know I’m going to play every day, and I just need to be ready.”
That confidence was on full display during the Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins. After a frustrating start that included three strikeouts, Rice flipped the script with a towering home run and a clutch extra-base hit later in the game—turning a rough outing into a defining moment.
For Rowson, that resilience is what separates good hitters from great ones.
“When you can struggle early and still impact the game later, that’s growth,” he said.
As the Yankees push forward with a roster largely intact, questions remain about whether this group can take the next step toward a championship. But one internal belief is clear: improvement will come from within.
Few players embody that potential more than Rice.
“He never changed anything, even when the results weren’t there,” Warren said. “He just kept working. That’s what this game rewards—and now you’re seeing it pay off.”
