From Dartmouth to Dominance: Ben Rice's Unlikely Rise Reshapes First Base

Key facts

• Ben Rice, drafted 363rd overall in 2021 from Dartmouth, has a.322/.447/.744 slash line with 10 HR and 23 RBI in April 2026.
• Rice's 1.145 OPS ranks second only to Yordan Alvarez among qualified hitters.
• He was a 12th-round pick, selected as a catcher, and converted to first base in 2024.
• Rice made his MLB debut on June 18, 2024, after Anthony Rizzo's injury.
• In 2025, Rice posted an.836 OPS with 26 home runs despite being platooned against lefties.
• His expected metrics in 2025 (xOPS.922, xwOBA.394) ranked sixth among 145 qualified hitters, suggesting underperformance.
• Rice's 10 home runs put him on pace for 54 in 2026.

The Ivy League Prodigy Who Defied the Odds

Ben Rice was never supposed to be here. Selected with the 363rd pick in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB draft out of Dartmouth College, his name was quickly buried among late-round selections. Yet in April 2026, the New York Yankees first baseman leads the league in slugging, slashing.322/.447/.744 with 10 home runs and 23 RBIs. Rice's journey is a testament to the Yankees' scouting acumen. Discovered by scout Matt Hyde in a summer wood-bat league, Rice was drafted for his raw power, which he displayed in a home run derby. His Ivy League background, where he barely played college ball due to COVID-19, made him an unlikely candidate for stardom.

From Catcher to First Base: A Positional Shift That Paid Off

Rice was originally drafted as a catcher, but his subpar defense behind the plate and the emergence of 2020 first-round pick Austin Wells forced a change. In 2024, he began learning first base in the minors. The opportunity arrived on June 16, 2024, when first baseman Anthony Rizzo suffered an injury that sidelined him for months and ultimately ended his career. Two days later, Rice made his MLB debut, recording a single. He hit his first home run 16 days later and launched three more in a single game against the Boston Red Sox. In 50 games that season, he finished with a.613 OPS and seven home runs, but metrics suggested bad luck played a role.

The Breakout Season That Almost Wasn't

In 2025, with Rizzo's option declined, Rice shared first base duties with free-agent signing Paul Goldschmidt. He posted an.836 OPS with 26 home runs, proving to be one of the Yankees' best hitters. Yet he was often platooned against lefties, as the team prioritized Goldschmidt's results over Rice's development. Despite solid numbers, Rice was overshadowed by Aaron Judge's historic season and Cody Bellinger's resurgence. His.358 wOBA ranked 26th among 145 qualified hitters, but his expected metrics told a different story. His xOPS of.922 and xwOBA of.394 ranked sixth, meaning he was nearly a top-five hitter by underlying performance. His wOBA was 0.036 points lower than expected, one of the unluckiest gaps in the league.

Dominance in April 2026: A Star Is Born

Rice's start to 2026 has been nothing short of dominant. His 1.145 OPS and.475 wOBA rank second only to Yordan Alvarez. His 1.045 xOPS and.444 xwOBA both rank fifth among 183 qualified hitters. He is eighth in walk rate and top seven in both standard and expected on-base and slugging percentages. His 10 home runs put him on pace for 54 on the year. Rice's emergence is part of a broader renaissance at first base, a position that had seen historically low productivity in recent years. Alongside Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, who leads the majors with 12 home runs, and Matt Olson, Rice has helped revitalize the corner infield.

The Unpredictable Nature of the MLB Draft

Rice's success underscores the MLB draft's unpredictability. Unlike other professional leagues, the draft is held during the All-Star break, and only 24 players typically jump straight to the majors. International talent signs as free agents, leaving high school and college athletes for 20 rounds of picks. Many first-rounders never reach the majors, while superstars often emerge from late rounds. The last time both league MVPs were first-round selections was 2016, when Mike Trout and Kris Bryant won. Stars like Cal Raleigh and Gunnar Henderson were drafted after the first round, and two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal was a ninth-round pick. Rice, at pick 363, is the latest example of this phenomenon.

What Lies Ahead for the Yankees' New Power Threat

With Rice's explosive start, the Yankees now have a lineup that is less top-heavy. His ability to draw walks and hit the ball in the air provides essential balance alongside Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger. The question is whether Rice can sustain this production over a full season. If his expected metrics are any guide, Rice's performance is no fluke. He has already proven he can hit at an almost-MVP level, and with regular playing time against lefties, his numbers could improve further. For a team with World Series aspirations, Rice's emergence could be the difference-maker.

The bottom line

• Ben Rice, a 12th-round pick from Dartmouth, has become one of MLB's top hitters with a 1.145 OPS in April 2026.
• His expected metrics in 2025 ranked sixth among qualified hitters, suggesting his breakout was overdue.
• Rice converted from catcher to first base due to defensive issues and the emergence of Austin Wells.
• He seized the starting role after Anthony Rizzo's career-ending injury in 2024.
• Rice's success highlights the MLB draft's unpredictability, where late-round picks often become stars.
• The Yankees now have a balanced lineup with Rice providing power and on-base skills alongside Judge and Bellinger.