The Decade’s Best: No. 41 Chris Dominguez

Chris Dominguez
Harwich 2007 & Hyannis 2008
Third Baseman
Louisville

We’ve seen more talented and more well-rounded prospects than Chris Dominguez.

But on one night, with three swings of the bat, Dominguez put himself into exclusive company.

It was July 9, 2008. McKeon Park in Hyannis. A Wednesday. Dominguez was in the midst of an up-and-down start to his summer. He had been drafted in the fifth round in June. He was trying to prove himself.

On that night, he delivered the best single-game performance of the summer and one of the best of the decade. Dominguez belted three mammoth home runs, tying a Cape League record. The last guy to do it before Dominguez? Frank Thomas.

That’s pretty good company, and in terms of pure power, Dominguez belonged.

He was all-or-nothing at times. Playing for Harwich in 2007, he hit just .216 He struck out 38 times in 97 at-bats. The next spring, though, he was outstanding and he carried that into the summer. He still wasn’t the most balanced player and he struck out a lot, but he also hit .262 for the Mets in 2008. He led the league with 10 home runs and 22 extra-base hits. He finished third in slugging percentage and RBI.

For his Cape League career, Dominguez totaled 13 home runs and 30 extra-base hits.

Add in his one historic night, and you’ve got a player who we’re going to remember.

After the Cape

On the heels of his strong summer in 2008, Dominguez opted not to sign. He returned to Louisville, hit 25 home runs and repeated as the Big East Player of the Year.

In 2009, he was drafted in the third round by the Giants. He spent most of his first pro season in Low-A, where he hit .254 with nine home runs in 181 at-bats.

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