The factor that could make Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez extra valuable in October

BALTIMORE — Jasson Domínguez does not always play anymore, but when he does, he makes an impact. 

And while no amount of production is realistically going to allow him to force his way into the lineup down the stretch, barring an injury, the 22-year-old outfielder is showing he is capable of being a factor for the Yankees in October, albeit in a slightly different role. 

Domínguez has developed into a legitimate base-stealing threat, going 23-for-27 in attempts entering Thursday’s series opener against the Orioles, opening the door for him to be a pinch-running weapon in the postseason. That would be especially valuable if the Yankees are starting José Caballero at shortstop and, therefore, unable to use MLB’s steals leader in a hand-picked spot. 

“I feel like as the season’s unfolded, [Domínguez] has gotten really good and really confident at trusting when we open him up that he can get bags,” manager Aaron Boone said. “His speed’s so good. But I feel like he’s done a better job as the season’s gone along of consistently getting some good breaks and even running in situations where it’s tough, where you have a tough matchup where we’re going to push the envelope a little bit.”