STANTON WHO? BEN RICE IS OUR DUDE!

There’s something about underdogs. They’re not supposed to shine. They’re supposed to quietly fill in, maybe hold the fort, and then fade back into the shadows when the stars return.

But Ben Rice? He had other plans.

Thrust into a lineup stacked with big names and even bigger contracts, Rice didn’t flinch. He just hit. And kept hitting. And now he’s one of the 7 best hitters in baseball — yes, seriously — with a 210 wRC+ that looks like a misprint but is very, very real.

No, he probably won’t keep that number forever. He’s not a robot. But even if the numbers cool down, the tools say this might be very real. He’s hitting the ball hard — consistently. He’s not striking out at alarming rates. Every swing feels like it could end up on the highlight reel.

Let’s talk numbers: .306 average, 3 dingers, four RBIs, and enough swagger to make it all look easy. His plate appearances aren’t just good — they’re dangerous. There’s confidence. There’s bite. There’s “why wasn’t this guy starting sooner?” energy.

But of course, the Yankees have a logjam. Paul Goldschmidt is still raking at first. Giancarlo Stanton hopefully returns to the DH spot soon. So, what happens to Rice?

Here’s where things get interesting — and maybe even brilliant.

Empire Sports Media has a huge solution:

"The Perfect (Platoon) Solution
Here’s where things get interesting — and maybe a bit brilliant.
Instead of choosing between Rice and Stanton, why not use both?
Platooning the two might be the cleanest path forward. Let Rice mash against right-handers, which he’s shown he can do with ease. Let Stanton handle lefties, minimizing wear and tear while maximizing impact."

That’s not just clever. That’s practical genius.

Or hey, imagine them both in the lineup. A lefty masher and a righty destroyer? That’s the kind of middle-of-the-order pairing that makes opposing managers lose sleep.

None of this happens, though, without Rice grinding his way to this point. He didn’t complain. He didn’t coast. He worked — in the gym, at the plate, in silence. He added strength, added speed, and when the moment came, he didn’t blink. He delivered. That’s what makes this rise so easy to root for. It’s not hype — it’s hard-earned.

So now we wait and see what the Yankees decide. But one thing’s already clear: Ben Rice didn’t just show up. He arrived. And the longer he keeps hitting, the harder it becomes to imagine this team without him.

Let the stars heal. Let the debates rage. Ben Rice is here, and he’s making sure the Bronx knows his name.