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The New York Yankees have recalled their number 12 prospect Ben Rice for his MLB debut. The 25-year-old has been a force at the plate in the minor leagues this season and will now be given the opportunity to ply his trade at the major league level.
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"The Yankees are giving Ben Rice a shot to play 1B in Anthony Rizzo’s absence. Rice is hitting .275 with a .925 OPS and 15 homers across AA/AAA this season" - @TalkinYanks
While Ben Rice has more than earned an opportunity to play in the MLB, it unfortunately came in the wake of an injury to Anthony Rizzo. The former All-Star suffered a fracture in his arm, which is expected to keep him sidelined for four to six weeks. This should give Rice an extended shot in the MLB.
While there is no doubt that Rice and his family are excited to see the prospect earn a shot in the MLB, there is someone else who is equally pleased to see him get a chance. New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus has had a connection to Rice going back to when the club drafted him in 2021.
"Brad Ausmus says he's known Ben Rice for about four years and says he excitedly texted Brian Cashman when the Yankees drafted him, as a fellow catcher from Dartmouth" - @snyyankees
"I have a connection through two friends to his family," Ausmus said about knowing Rice since before he was a Yankee. “This one’s a little bit closer to my heart because of the connections," Brad Ausmus told reporters when asked about Rice's promotion to the MLB.
Ben Rice and Brad Ausmus also have a Yankees connection to Dartmouth College
The New York Yankees selected Rice in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Although there is always a special connection between a player and their alma mater, Dartmouth has an extra significance between Rice and his new bench coach.
Although Brad Ausmus never played for Dartmouth College, he did study there. Ausmus explained that during the 2021 MLB Draft, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman was aware of the connection between Rice and Ausmus.
"It was the first catcher drafted out of Dartmouth since Brad Ausmus," Brian Cashman reportedly said after making the selection.
