New York Yankees outfielder Ben Rice hit his 12th home run of the 2026 season on Sunday during a game against the Baltimore Orioles [1].
Rice's surge in power hitting provides the Yankees with a secondary deep threat alongside captain Aaron Judge, diversifying the team's offensive attack early in the season.
The home run puts Rice in a tie with Judge, who also has 12 home runs for the season [1]. This marks a rapid climb for Rice, who had recorded 10 home runs as of April 28 [4].
The Yankees defeated the Orioles with a final score of 7-2 [5]. This victory represents the team's 11th win in their last 13 games [5].
While Rice and Judge lead the team, they currently trail the MLB league leader. Munetaka Murakami holds the overall lead with 13 home runs [1].
Rice has shown consistent growth over the last week. On April 28, the Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers 4-2 in a game where Rice had reached the 10-home run mark [4]. His ability to maintain this pace places him among the most productive hitters in the league through early May.
“Ben Rice hit his 12th home run of the 2026 season on Sunday”
The emergence of Ben Rice as a power hitter creates a more balanced lineup for New York, reducing the team's historical reliance on Aaron Judge for home run production. By tying Judge for the team lead, Rice establishes himself as a core offensive pillar during a strong early-season stretch where the Yankees have won 11 of their last 13 games.
