This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
NEW YORK -- The mask, chest protector and shin guards sat in Ben Rice’s locker like a promise waiting to be kept, even as his early-season role leaned toward first base and designated hitter.
Hours before most Yankees games, Rice could be found strapping on the gear and heading to the bullpen, squatting for side sessions to keep his receiving sharp -- just in case.
That extra work is paying off. With Austin Wells slumping and the lineup more crowded by the return of a healthy Giancarlo Stanton, Rice has seized an opportunity to show he can be a capable big league backstop.
“It means a lot,” Rice said. “Every start back there just adds to the confidence. I’m happy I’m able to be flexible enough to go to multiple spots.”
Rice rose through the Yankees’ Minor League system as a catcher, but the club seemed reluctant to start him there regularly until this year. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he senses the game slowing down for Rice.
“He hasn’t done it a lot at this level, so there’s still some things to learn, but we’ve really been pleased with how well he’s handled it,” Boone said.
Rice’s first taste of big league duty came as a first baseman last year, learning the position on the fly as a fill-in for the injured Anthony Rizzo. He caught just one inning, in a June blowout at Toronto, and was told to focus on first base.
That changed this year, when Rice participated in all the behind-the-scenes catching work alongside Wells and backup J.C. Escarra.
“I think we did a good job making it a little easier by just staying on top of catching bullpens, always sitting in on all of our scouting meetings,” Rice said. “I caught a lot of these guys in Spring Training. I understood the guys’ arsenals and their strengths.
“It’s my natural position. I’ve done it my whole life, so I figured I’d be able to make that transition a little easier that way.”
Carlos Rodón praised Rice’s effort on Tuesday, when the pair limited the Twins to one run and one hit over seven innings.
“I thought Ben was great,” Rodón said. “He’s made big strides for the first time catching in the big leagues this year. He’s a guy who’s got to be in the lineup.”
Rice didn’t make his first big league start at catcher until June 18, in a loss to the Angels, but the nods are coming more regularly now -- 20 appearances in all, including 12 starts. The Yanks have won his last three starts at catcher -- Aug. 9 vs. Houston, and Aug. 11-12 vs. Minnesota.
“Him now from two months ago is a lot different,” Boone said. “He’s gaining confidence and playing really well.”
The Yankees have seen improvement in Rice’s game-calling and framing, though Baseball Savant notes room to grow: His average 75.9 mph throw on stolen-base attempts ranks 79th of 90 catchers, with two caught-stealings in seven tries, and his framing ranks 22nd. Rice says those are points of emphasis.
“It’s a team effort,” Rice said. “Everyone’s just on top of it, trying to get the most out of our pitchers, reading hitters, reading swings. We all work together.”
Keeping his bat in the lineup has been the driving force. Rice has hit safely in nine of 13 games since July 30, raising his line to .233/.326/.456 (115 OPS+) with 17 homers and 38 RBIs in 101 games -- numbers that trail his expected stats. His .290 xBA and 97th percentile hard-hit rate (54.8 percent) suggest some bad luck.
“Ever since Spring Training, he’s hit the ball so hard,” said Cody Bellinger. “He really controls every single at-bat. He’s a really smart guy. He’s got a plan up there. It’s fun to watch. I’m glad he’s on our side.”