Ben Rice of the Yankees hit three home runs today to help New York to a 14-4 win over Boston. Rice, seasonal age 25, did a great job getting on base at every level of the minors and hit for power the the more A’s were added the level.

The Yankees moved him into the lead-off slot as Anthony Volpe slumped, and had a .364 OBP coming into the day. Saturday afternoon, he showed off his power.

I do wonder why the Yankees did not call him up last season to replace Anthony Rizzo after the concussion was discovered. Rice did miss May and June due to an oblique injury, but if he been on the team in August, might he had made a difference?

He is listed as a catcher-first baseman, but the way he hits I suspect that first base would keep his bat in the lineup longer. We’ll see what happens if and when Rizzo returns.