TAMPA – After spending the majority of his debut season at first base, Ben Rice is part of the Yankees’ backup catcher competition.
Aaron Boone confirmed that on Wednesday, as Rice participated in the club’s first official workout for pitchers and catchers. That said, he will remain an option at first base, creating the type of versatility that could make a roster spot and playing time easier to come by.
“He’s good enough physically to do all the things you need to as a catcher,” said Boone, who is fond of Rice’s left-handed swing. “So I think having that flexibility is valuable. A lot of the focus will obviously be on catching this spring, but I want to keep the first base stuff in the mix.”
The 25-year-old Rice is a natural catcher, but he learned first in the minors last year and replaced an injured Anthony Rizzo at the position midway through the season. He’s only caught one big league inning.
“I feel really good,” Rice told the Daily News when asked if he’s experienced any rust behind the plate. “I mean, that’s the position I’ve always played my whole life. So I’m glad to be back there.”
Rice arrived in Tampa in early January. He’s been catching every day since while doing homework on his pitchers’ arsenals, approaches and personalities. When not doing that or hitting, he’s finding time for grounders at first a few times per week.
Like Boone, Rice sees his versatility as an asset with Austin Wells, another left-handed swinger, entrenched as the team’s starting catcher. The Yankees also have a starting first baseman in Paul Goldschmidt, but the former MVP is coming off the worst year of his career and hits from the right-side.
Goldschmidt had a .675 OPS against righties last year; Rice could spell him and Wells from time to time if he makes the roster.
While Rice enjoys catching, he won’t be picky if he makes the cut. He doesn’t care where he plays.
“I just want to be on the team,” he said.” I want to help them win however I can.”
Of course, Rice is not the only candidate for the Yankees’ backup catching job.
Non-roster invitee Alex Jackson, a strong framer but light hitter, is the only in-house option with major league experience. The former first-round pick, acquired in the trade that sent Jose Trevino to Cincinnati, has only played in 124 big league games over five seasons, though.
Asked if experience is an important factor in the Yankees’ backup catching battle, Boone said, “Experience always matters. It’s not everything, but it’s always a part of looking at a résumé for anyone. That’s a checkmark for some people, but it’s not the end all by any means.”
Foreign league journeyman J.C. Escarra, who joined the organization two offseasons ago, is also an option. Another lefty, he is well-liked by the Yankees and earned a 40-man roster spot before winning a LIDOM batting title this past winter.
Prospect Jesus Rodriguez is the only other catcher on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, but he’s yet to play above Double-A. Other non-roster catchers include Rafael Flores — another intriguing prospect also learning first but untested above Double-A — Ronaldo Hernández and Omar Martinez.
It’s an unproven crew, so it wouldn’t surprise if the Yankees added a more experienced backup between now and Opening Day. However, Boone seems to like the catchers he has for now, as well as the coaches preparing them.
“We don’t have a ton of guys with a lot of experience, and that’s okay,” he said. “We feel like the catching group we have is a strong one.”
A SURPRISE REACTION
On Wednesday, a Yankees spokesperson announced that Eric Reyzelman suffered an allergic reaction that morning before pitchers and catchers began their first official workout. The pitching prospect had to be taken to nearby St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Reyzelman was in stable condition but planned on spending the night at the hospital for observation.
The spokesperson said there was “a bit of uncertainty” over what triggered the reaction and expected another update on Thursday.