Can Ben Rice fix Yankees' 1B woes? Exploring possibilities as 25-year-old rookie emerges as potential solution to team's offensive rut

On Saturday, the New York Yankees unearthed a new hero against the Boston Red Sox to halt their skid as rookie first baseman Ben Rice etched his name into the record books. The 25-year-old wowed Yankees fans in an offensive masterclass that saw the team drive in 14 runs.

Rice, who is less than three weeks into his debut season with the Bronx Bombers, smoked three home runs in the game, becoming the first-ever Yankees rookie to do so.

The rookie first baseman was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Anthony Rizzo had fractured his right arm last month and was placed on the 60-day injured list.

However, the Yankees 12th overall pick hasn't looked back since his promotion. He was named in the leadoff spot on Thursday following Anthony Volpe's continued struggles.

Rice has four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .971 OPS in his 51 at-bats in his first 17 MLB games. While the numbers are not extraordinary by any stretch of imagination, the rookie has done well from the plate in Rizzo's absence.

However, the most important aspect of Rice's performance that would compel Yankees manager Aaron Boone to make him a regular first baseman is DJ LeMahieu's underwhelming numbers. LeMahieu is yet to hit a home run this season, with a .175/.270/.196 slash line.

While Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have carried the offense for most of the season, Boone can rely on Ben Rice for some firepower at the top, at least with Rizzo out of the picture for the time being.

The rookie's fearless approach from the leadoff spot could be the spark the team needs, just like it did on Saturday.

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Ben Rice's unique Red Sox connection

Ben Rice's seven-RBI night was only the second by a Yankees rookie since Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. He's also only the third rookie to go long three times from the leadoff spot, joining Andrew McCutchen and Mike Yastrzemski.

Despite being a Boston native, Rice chose the New York Yankees as his favorite team over the hometown Boston Red Sox. His affinity for the pinstripes will please Yankees fans, as Rice had once scribbled “Yankees Rule!” on the Pesky Pole at Fenway Park.

The 25-year-old certainly lives and breathes the Yankees, and his confidence at the plate could well be the factor that could help the Bronx Bombers turn their season around after a sluggish last four weeks.