Jasson Dominguez has already revealed why the Yankees fans claimed his promotion the last month, leaving both his fellow colleagues and pundits thoroughly impressed.

According to Bryan Hoch, Carlos Mendoza vividly recalls that sharp sound, an auditory jolt that pierced through the serene atmosphere of the Yankees’ Dominican academy in Boca Chica. The date was January 2020, and Mendoza, the Bombers’ bench coach, found himself bathed in sunlight as he joined manager Aaron Boone on a campus visit. Their mission: to connect with promising players like Gary Sánchez and Miguel Andújar. Little did they know that they were about to witness the remarkable talent of a laid-back teenager who would soon take the baseball world by storm.

As Mendoza squinted into the sun, his attention was drawn to a young player forcefully launching baseballs around the diamond. The teenager was none other than Jasson Domínguez, who, even at the age of 16, had a commanding presence at the plate. The way the ball exploded off his bat left an indelible impression on Mendoza.

“The way the ball came off the bat,” Mendoza recalled, “Miggy and Gary were guys with big league experience, and Jasson [Domínguez] was 16 at the time. He didn’t miss a bit. He was hitting the ball out of the ballpark with ease, both sides of the field, both sides of the plate. I was like, ‘Wow, this is real.'”

Jasson Domínguez, affectionately known as “The Martian” for his out-of-this-world talent, had a knack for making a memorable first impression. He recently showcased that flair in Houston, where he made his major league debut by launching a home run off the formidable Justin Verlander with his very first swing.

Boone, who had scouted Domínguez during that fateful visit to the Dominican, remembered seeing a young switch-hitting center fielder with a powerful build. Domínguez effortlessly belted batting practice fastballs and displayed graceful athleticism while tracking down fly balls.

“Right then, he got your attention, like, ‘Man, this is a 16-year-old kid,'” Boone remarked. “You see the skill set right in front of you, but he had that easy smile, handled himself real well. I can’t say I’m surprised [that he’s in the Majors]. That was four years ago. When I was 20, I was kicking the ball around as a sophomore at USC, a long way away from the big leagues.”

Even in those early stages of his career, Domínguez was no stranger to the hype and comparisons. He had drawn parallels to legends like Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle, and Mike Trout even before signing his first professional contract, which included a substantial $5.1 million signing bonus from the Yankees.

In the Dominican, an awe-struck observer, whose identity remains shrouded in mystery, dubbed Domínguez “El Marciano” (The Martian) in acknowledgment of his otherworldly abilities. Over the years, Domínguez has embraced this nickname, and it has become synonymous with his burgeoning baseball career.

Mendoza emphasized the significant growth and maturation he has witnessed in Domínguez since that initial encounter in 2020. Beyond his exceptional talent, Domínguez has developed as a person and a teammate, with improved language skills being a notable example.

“His presence in the locker room, his interactions and conversations,” Mendoza noted. “His English is very good. Credit to the player development people, because that’s a priority for him. When I first met him, it was zero; I remember translating every conversation for Boonie. Now they can talk to each other. That sticks out to me, that he knows how important it is. Little things like that go a long way.”

When Domínguez stepped onto the field for his first home game at Yankee Stadium, he acknowledged the fervent cheers of the Bleacher Creatures by pointing skyward, reminiscent of E.T. The transition from a sun-soaked Dominican practice field to the grand stage of the Bronx appeared seamless for Domínguez, who has displayed a remarkable ability to remain unfazed by the magnitude of the moment.

“From my point of view, it’s the same baseball,” Domínguez reflected. “Of course, there are many differences. You have so many more fans in the stands and a lot of excitement. I think after the first couple of days, I’ve been able to bring down the excitement and enjoy it more.”

In a baseball world where expectations are high, Jasson “The Martian” Domínguez continues to soar, proving that even at a young age, he possesses the talent, poise, and maturity to thrive at the highest level of the game.

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