Yankees' Ben Rice Ranks Fifth MLB Hard-Hit Percentage Despite Inconsistent Results

Ben Rice has emerged as a powerful hitter for the New York Yankees, ranking fifth in Major League Baseball for hard-hit percentage with 58.3%, even surpassing Aaron Judge in that metric. Despite a recent dip in traditional stats like batting average and OPS, Rice maintains elite underlying metrics including an average exit velocity of 94.5 mph and an expected batting average of .288, highlighting his consistent hard contact and quality at-bats. Manager Aaron Boone has expressed confidence in Rice's approach, noting that his strong contact has not yet fully translated into consistent results, partly due to some bad luck on balls in play. Rice recently hit his 11th home run of the season, a critical 423-foot solo shot in a close 3-2 victory over the Angels, underscoring his value as a power hitter even as Giancarlo Stanton's return may impact his playing time. Overall, Rice's combination of elite contact metrics and emerging power makes him a key offensive contributor for the Yankees this season.