Benjamin Kimball Rice Bio
Benjamin Kimball Rice is an American professional baseball first baseman, designated hitter, and catcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Rice played college baseball for Dartmouth College and was selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2024. Rice has quickly made a name for himself in the league, showcasing his skills and determination on the field.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Kimball Rice was born on February 22, 1999, in Cohasset, Massachusetts. He grew up in a sports-oriented family and began playing hockey at a young age before transitioning to baseball. Rice was a dedicated fan of the New York Yankees, often contrasting with his friends who supported the Boston Red Sox. His admiration for the Yankees was particularly influenced by his favorite player, Derek Jeter.
Path to Baseball
Rice attended Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts, where he began to hone his baseball skills. He later went on to play college baseball for the Dartmouth Big Green at Dartmouth College. During his time there, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. The COVID-19 pandemic limited his playing opportunities, but Rice took the initiative to organize scrimmages among Ivy League baseball players in 2020 to keep the spirit of competition alive. In 2021, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, further developing his skills.
Benjamin Kimball Rice Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
The New York Yankees selected Rice in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB draft, marking the beginning of his professional career. He spent his first season with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Yankees and Single-A Tampa Tarpons, where he faced challenges, hitting .197 in 23 games. In 2022, Rice returned to Tampa and improved his performance, hitting .267 with nine home runs and 36 runs batted in over 68 games. In 2023, he started the season with Tampa before being promoted to the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades and Double-A Somerset Patriots, where he excelled, accumulating a .324 batting average with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs in 73 games.
Breakthrough (2024)
On June 18, 2024, Benjamin Kimball Rice was promoted to the major leagues and made his debut against the Baltimore Orioles, where he recorded his first major league hit. His breakout moment came on July 6, when he became the first rookie in Yankees history to hit three home runs in a single game against the Boston Red Sox, matching Lou Gehrig’s record for a Yankee rookie with seven RBIs in that game. Despite a strong start, Rice faced difficulties later in the season, resulting in a demotion back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He finished his rookie season with a .171 batting average, seven home runs, and 23 RBIs in 50 games.
Notable Works and Milestones
Rice’s initial season in the MLB was marked by significant achievements, including his record-setting game against the Boston Red Sox. In the offseason, he focused on improving his physical condition, adding muscle to enhance his offensive production.
Upcoming Projects (2025)
Following a strong performance in spring training, Rice made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster for the 2025 season. He is expected to play a vital role in the team’s lineup, contributing as a designated hitter, first baseman, and catcher. His development and performance in the upcoming season will be closely watched as he aims to build on his rookie success.
Benjamin Kimball Rice Award Nominations
As of now, Benjamin Kimball Rice has not received any formal award nominations in his professional baseball career.
Benjamin Kimball Rice Awards Won
Benjamin Kimball Rice has not yet won any awards in his professional baseball career.
Benjamin Kimball Rice Family
Benjamin Kimball Rice’s father, Dan Rice, played college baseball as a pitcher for Brown University, indicating a family background in sports.
Personal Life
Rice speaks Spanish, having learned the language in middle school and continued his studies in college. He found it particularly useful for communicating with Spanish-speaking pitchers during his time in the minor leagues.
