3 surprising prospects who will shine at Yankees' spring training

Ben Rice, INF

Fresh off being named one of Baseball America's preeminent risers, it seems likely that first baseman Ben Rice will either be a non-roster invitee to camp or one of New York's featured taxi squad guys, given repeated elevation chances. After all, for as much fun as Yankee fans love to make of the way this front office slow plays prospects, the advanced Rice surely sees a first base vacancy in 2025 after Anthony Rizzo's contract (likely) wraps.

Not saying the Yankees would give an Opening Day first base gig to a prospect in a championship season ... but if they were going to ... the process would start here, and Baseball America's No. 12 prospect needs to seize the moment.

Rice rolls out of bed ready to hit, as evidenced by the Dartmouth product's remarkable .327 average with 16 bombs in 48 games after being dropped into the Double-A pool midsummer. The Yankees spent 2023 testing his hit tool and challenging him repeatedly with swift promotions, and he delivered every single time. Expect them to get a bit aggressive this spring once again.

And expect Rice to cook.