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Ben Rice is heating up for the Yankees at the perfect time
TL;DR
Ben Rice is excelling for the New York Yankees in the 2026 season, leading the team with seven home runs and 17 RBIs. His batting average stands at .339, showcasing his significant impact as a clean-up hitter.
Key points
- Ben Rice leads the Yankees with seven home runs and 17 RBIs
- His batting average is .339 through the first 20 games
- Rice's exit velocity is in the top 1% of baseball
- He is on a three-game home run streak
- Rice is playing first base and is the clean-up hitter
New York YankeesBen Rice
Ben Rice is heating up for the Yankees at the perfect time originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Yankees have enjoyed a nice start to the 2026 season, and have seen the blossoming of one of their younger core pieces. Ben Rice, the 27-year-old who is in his third season with the Bronx Bombers, is picking up where he left off in 2025.
Through the first 20 games of this season, he leads the Yankees in home runs with seven, and RBIs with 17. Going further down the stat line, Rice is also the leading batter in batting average, at .339. Looking analytically, No. 22's average exit velocity of 95.5 MPH is in the top 1% of baseball, according to Baseball Savant.
It has been a fantastic season for Rice, and the Yankees are reaping the benefits. For years, they have searched for an answer for first base, and now, it seems like they have a home run. Pun intended.
Recently, Rice has been on a tear with a three-game home run streak. You don't see those too often. He is getting great contact on the ball, and his placement in the batting order as the clean-up hitter is well earned.
For the rest of 2026, it will be important for Rice to continue to be a steady contributor for this offense. The Yankees pitching has been great thus far, and once the powerful bats are fully behind them, this team can be lethal at the end of this Summer and into the Fall.
Can Rice keep this streak up, and go for a fourth home run game in a row?
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Q&A
What are Ben Rice's current statistics for the 2026 MLB season?
Ben Rice has seven home runs, 17 RBIs, and a batting average of .339 through the first 20 games of the 2026 season.
How has Ben Rice performed compared to other players in MLB?
Rice's average exit velocity of 95.5 MPH ranks him in the top 1% of all MLB players, indicating his strong hitting performance.
What position does Ben Rice play for the New York Yankees?
Ben Rice plays first base for the New York Yankees and has recently solidified his role as the clean-up hitter in the batting order.
