'Benny Barrels' vs. The World: Can Ben Rice Enter the 2026 MVP Conversation?
- Matthew Nethercott
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Behind the 97th percentile hard-hit rate and the adjustments needed to conquer left-handed pitching.
Spring Training is on the horizon, and a lot of the Yankees are already down in Tampa at the Yankees complex working out. Captain Aaron Judge has made it sort of a tradition that players arrive at Tampa before the mandatory start date to work towards the ultimate goal -- a championship.
For the Yankees, about half the team is pictured above, and most of those players will have a big impact on the 2026 roster, including Ben Rice.
Rice came up out of necessity in 2024, and now is a mainstay in the Yankees lineup. After a somewhat rocky debut in 2024, he bounced back with a slash line of .255/.337/.499 and an .836 OPS over 138 games.
He proved his power was no fluke by launching 26 home runs and driving in 65 RBIs, earning him the nickname "Benny Barrels" from manager Aaron Boone. His advanced metrics back up the hype, as he ranked in the 97th percentile for hard-hit rate (56.1%), showing a consistent ability to drive the ball into the gaps and over the fence.
What made Rice’s season particularly impressive was his growth and versatility. Despite having limited experience at first base, he managed to effectively nudge a veteran like Paul Goldschmidt into a platoon role while still occasionally stepping behind the plate as a catcher. In fact, according to Statcast, Rice had better defensive metrics at the end of the 2025 season than Goldschmidt according to Statcast.
He finished the season strong, posting a .281 average and 12 home runs in the second half alone. With a 131 OPS+ and 2.3 WAR, Rice has transitioned from a prospect fill-in to a cornerstone of the Yankees' offensive strategy heading into 2026.
The Yankees are preparing Rice to take over first base full-time.
"I expect Benny to be the everyday first baseman." Manager Aaron Boone said on "The Michael Kay Show" on Monday.
The Yankees have shown interest in bringing Goldschmidt back on a one-year deal. While I don't think it's the best use of financial resources, his veteran impact was unmatched.
The Yankees will also be preparing Rice to face lefty pitching. His numbers were solid against southpaws in 2025, and facing more lefties should help his numbers.
Split | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR/RBI |
vs LHP | .208 | .271 | .481 | .752 | 7/18 |
vs RHP | .269 | .356 | .504 | .860 | 19/47 |
If Rice, who is extremely confident in his abilities, is able to hit against lefties and righties in 2026, he will receive MVP votes. The Yankees and everyone familiar with Rice's game are high on this kid and his ability; it's time for the full breakout of Rice.