Ben Rice DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice will serve as the designated hitter on Opening Day against the Milwaukee Brewers. Rice will bat in the eight-hole and face Milwaukee ace Freddy Peralta. Rice was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster and earned the job given his impressive performance. In the Grapefruit League, Rice launched five home runs across 20 contests with a .242/.319/.516 slash line. He tallied two doubles and held a 7:17 BB:K. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut last season but struggled to find consistency as he posted a modest .171/.246/.349 slash line with seven long balls. However, he generated a strong .340 xwOBA with an elite 15.6 percent barrel rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production early in the season as he could become the primary DH against right-handed pitching with Giancarlo Stanton (elbow) on the injured list. Rice is worth a look as a high-upside play at a cheaper salary in DFS.

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez and first baseman Ben Rice officially have made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Aaron Boone. It shouldn't come as a surprise to fantasy managers that either player is on the big-league roster to start the year. Dominguez, 22, is the much bigger name in fantasy and will open his first full season in the majors as New York's starting left fielder. As long as he stays healthy, the Martian should be a lock for 20 homers and 20 steals. He hit .267 (16-for-60) with three homers, 12 RBI and five steals in 19 spring games. Although he hit just .207 (18-for-87) in his first 26 big-league games the last two years, Dominguez should be locked into starting fantasy lineups anytime he's active. Rice, 26, clubbed five homers in 19 Grapefruit League games. The power is there, but the playing time might not be as he tries to get at-bats at first, DH and catcher.

New York Yankees first baseman/catcher Ben Rice continued his impressive spring training with his fifth Grapefruit League home run on Wednesday. He smashed an 0-1 cutter from Phillies starter Taijuan Walker over the left-center field wall and boosted his ISO to .326 and wOBA to .413 by going 1-for-3 with two walks out of the leadoff spot while playing designated hitter. The 26-year-old has made a strong case for starting the season in the majors despite hitting just .171 with seven homers and a .269 wOBA in 50 games with the Yankees last season. He will likely get most of his playing time at 1B or catcher but could also get some work at DH with Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) unavailable to start the season. He will definitely be worth a look in mixed leagues if he's getting regular at-bats for New York.