When you hear the word "Martian," what comes to your mind? Alien? Out of this world?

That's the nickname given to Yankees No. 1 prospect Jasson Dominguez, and those descriptions are what scouts, evaluators and anyone who has been able to see him play have thought. The name is truly fitting because the kid just seems to be from another planet with how he's played the game at such a young age.

You might have heard of Dominguez by now because he has been compared to the likes of Mike Trout, Mickey Mantle and Bo Jackson -- some of the best athletes to ever button up a jersey and play baseball. You also might have heard that the Yankees outbid everyone hoping to land his "generational talent" with a $5.1 million international signing bonus when he was eligible to be picked up out of Boca Chica, Dominican Republic last year.

If you haven't, consider this your introduction to someone who not just the Yankees, but every team will be focused on when he makes his pro debut.

At 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, this 17-year-old could very well be baseball's best player one day. It sounds far-fetched but it's no exaggeration. He's a true five-tool, switch-hitting, hard-working and all-around talented ballplayer whom the Yankees couldn't be happier with.

So let's take a look at Dominguez, a true candidate to fast-track through the minors in Bryce Harper fashion:

What scouts are saying

"He's possibly the best combination of tools, athleticism and performance that I've run across. Now, there's a whole lot of time, a whole lot of at-bats and a whole lot of proving it between now and hopefully reaching the major leagues. Given his baseball background, his baseball acumen, his desire, his competitive nature, his work ethic, it's never an easy thing to drop $5.1 million on one player, but he made it pretty easy." - Yankees international scouting director Donny Rowland, via Baseball America's Ben Badler

"He won't make his pro debut until mid-2020 but he already has earned comparisons to some of the best athletes in baseball history, such as Bo Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout." - MLB Pipeline

What happens in 2020?

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed Dominguez's progress for a year. The 17-year-old was set to make his pro debut in the lower levels of the Yankees' system, but that will have to wait.

In the meantime, he can only continue his preparation in the Dominican Republic until it is time to head over to the states to start his professional journey.

It is a shame, becaus, even though he would be playing rookie ball and potentially low-A as well, Dominguez would've had a pretty big spotlight on him. His development is an obvious key for this team that believes he can become its center fielder of the future. The price tag the Yankees paid to acquire him says it all.

What could the future hold?

The sky is the limit and then add a little bit more. You don't get comparisons to arguably the best player to ever play the game in Trout for no reason.

Dominguez has prolific All-Star written all over his scouting reports and tape. He has the tools and the necessary character traits like work ethic and determination to go along with not just being that All-Star but the face of the franchise. And this is a franchise that currently employs the likes of Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres.

If all pans out well -- and there is a lot of time before he makes his way into pinstripes -- Dominguez will fulfill that destiny. Yes, he realizes there is a lot on his plate but he seems extremely willing to prove all the amazing reports right. Will that pressure get to him early on? Will there be struggles to start once he cracks into the majors? Probably.

But just think about what Dominguez could bring to this ball club that would likely still have players like Judge and Torres on the roster. Smells like more rings, right? We'll see if Dominguez will be sporting one of his own down the road. If he does, expect him to have a lot to do with it.

What scouts are saying

What happens in 2020?

What could the future hold?

Highlights

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