Why Ben Rice’s strong start to 2026 is anything but ‘fools gold’

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Why Ben Rice’s strong start to 2026 is anything but ‘fools gold’

Colin Loughran, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, Apr 7, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Why Ben Rice's strong start to 2026 is anything but 'fools gold' appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

Almost no one would describe New York Yankees slugger Ben Rice as anything other than one of the game's best young bats. Ever since he burst onto the scene in 2024 and became the first New York rookie to hit three home runs in a game, he has continued to show a knack for hard contact.

His 2025 campaign and start to 2026 have left little doubt that he's on his way to All-Star status. Numerous stories have already been written about what Ben Rice could be, but a closer look at what he already is reveals that his strengths can be replicated for seasons to come.

It's natural for fans and pundits to blue sky about what the 27-year-old could develop into, but his floor might be the more fascinating part of his profile in a sport that largely values slug over contact.

"I think Benny can really hit," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after New York's 8-2 win in the home opener against the Miami Marlins . "I think he's a middle-of-the-order hitter and is going to be for a long time."

Ben Rice's 2025 season has been viewed through the wrong prism

Over the course of 138 contests last season, Rice blasted 26 home runs, collected 65 RBIs, and posted an .836 OPS. According to Baseball Savant, he ranked in the 94th percentile in xBA, the 92nd percentile in barrel%, and the 91st percentile in terms of chase%.

Rice separated himself with his swift swing and intelligent approach at the plate. As if his regular season was not impressive enough, the former 12th-round pick also came to play in the postseason. He was one of the better hitters during the team's playoff run and totaled a .730 OPS.

Additionally, much has been made of the way Rice struggled against offspeed pitches during his first full season with the Yankees, but he was also able to earn an .809 OPS against four-seam fastballs and a 1.052 OPS against sinkers, according to Fangraphs. While these marks don't concern offspeed weapons like curveballs or sliders, they point to something that might be more encouraging in the long run.

From a baseline perspective, Rice has proven he can regularly mash fastballs. This might not seem like a big deal in 2026, but when he received playing time in 2024, once Anthony Rizzo was unable to contribute, no one knew what would follow. He's already given the Yankees more than they might have hoped for.

Further, numerous hitters struggle against offspeed pitches. It is not a new occurrence or something that would shock anyone who has been around the game.

Some may point to this as a factor that would make Rice an easy target for pitchers, but it could just as easily be argued that more exposure to offspeed tools could grant Rice the opportunity to learn how to strike back.

The Yankees should value Ben Rice's floor

The Yankees' brass would surely love to see Rice evolve into an all-around player who can hit for both contact and power while also fielding with ease, but there are also aspects of his mental makeup that may be considered unique strengths.

During the Yankees' series opener against Miami, Rice suffered three straight strikeouts before belting a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh and a double that extended their lead one inning later.

"I can think of plenty of games in my career where it started off poorly and ended on a strong note. Just knowing that even when I'm 0-for-3 with 3 punchouts, always a chance for me to do something dangerous."

Rice seems to be a player who is willing to treat each at-bat as if it were his last and make adjustments when necessary. In some way, this disposition carries more weight than any of the physical results he could net.

Any player could be a metrics darling with room to grow, but it takes someone unique to showcase their personal floor as more convincing than their ceiling.

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