The New York Yankees have long been searching for a homegrown, left-handed power bat to anchor the middle of their lineup. In Ben Rice, they may have found their answer. With the 2025 season still unfolding, Rice is turning heads, not just adjusting to the big leagues but excelling in the Bronx. His elite production, backed by stellar metrics and an undeniable presence, has fans and analysts buzzing: Rice is a full-on superstar in the making. As one bold observer said, “I’ll eat my words if I’m wrong, but he has arrived.” Let’s dive into why Rice is the real deal for the Yankees—and how he stacks up against a certain Philadelphia Phillies slugger, Bryce Harper.
Ben Rice on the Rise in New York
Yankees Late Round Steal
Rice, selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, is a testament to the organization’s scouting and player development prowess. Hailing from Dartmouth College, where his college career was limited to just 30 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rice was a diamond in the rough. The Yankees’ scouting department saw potential in his left-handed swing and athleticism, and their player development system polished him into a force. After tearing through the minors—hitting .324/.434/.615 with 20 home runs across three levels in 2023—Rice debuted in 2024, flashing power with a historic three-homer game against the Boston Red Sox.
Ben Rice (9)
Grand Slam 🎉Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Pitcher: Shane Spence
Date: 05/11/2025 pic.twitter.com/FNcFUfY0Sb— Yankees Home Runs (@NYY_HR) May 11, 2025
In 2025, he’s cementing his place as a cornerstone for the Yankees.
Rice Cakes in the Numbers
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 123 at-bats this season, Rice boasts a .260 batting average, nine home runs, 20 RBIs, two stolen bases, a .937 OPS, and a 165 wRC+. These metrics scream elite production, placing him among the game’s top hitters. His bat speed, averaging 74.6 mph in 2025 (up from 71.4 mph in 2024), ranks 30th among qualified hitters, just ahead of Harper, a poster child for selective aggression.
Rice’s 25 percent barrel rate and 62.5 percent hard-hit rate are in the 99th percentile, while his 95 mph average exit velocity sits in the 96th percentile. The bat is real, and as Yankees manager Aaron Boone succinctly put it, “Rice rakes.” For the Yankees, this kind of homegrown talent can redefine a lineup.
Ben Rice Showing Up Bryce Harper
Comparing Ben Rice to Bryce Harper, a two-time MVP and one of baseball’s premier power hitters, might seem ambitious, but the parallels are striking. Like Harper, Rice combines raw power with a keen eye at the plate. In his age-26 season (2019), Harper hit .260 with 35 home runs, a .882 OPS, and a 126 wRC+ over 682 plate appearances.
Rice, also 26, is on pace for similar per-at-bat production, albeit in a smaller sample. Both players share a knack for squaring up pitches—Rice’s 2025 blast rate (fast swings with sweet-spot contact) is top-10 among hitters, mirroring Harper’s ability to punish mistakes. While Harper’s career longevity and accolades set a high bar, Rice’s early metrics suggest he could follow a similar trajectory as a middle-of-the-order force for the Yankees.
Beyond the numbers, Rice’s story and vibes resonate deeply. A Massachusetts native who grew up rooting for the Yankees amidst a sea of Red Sox fans, Rice idolized Derek Jeter and now wears pinstripes with pride. From a lightly scouted Ivy Leaguer to a breakout star, his journey embodies the underdog spirit. Rice’s fluency in Spanish and psychology degree adds layers to his charisma off the field, and he is an asset in the locker room. For Yankees fans, he’s not just a player; he’s a narrative of perseverance and potential realized.
The 2025 season is far from over, but Rice is proving he’s more than a flash in the pan. His elite production, validated by top-tier metrics, signals the arrival of a cornerstone for the Yankees. While he’s not yet Bryce Harper, the similarities in their profiles suggest Rice could become a star in his own right. The bat is real, the story is compelling, and the vibes are electric. Rice is just starting, and the New York Yankees and their fans are reaping the rewards.
Main Image: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
