Ben Rice Crushes 40th Homer, Joins Rare Yankees Company

MLB Ben Rice Crushes 40th Homer, Joins Rare Yankees Company

By Nemanja Milosavljević

September 23, 2026 • 9:04 PM EDT

Updated 1 hours ago

Ben Rice Crushes 40th Homer, Joins Rare Yankees Company

Ben Rice is officially in Yankees lore. With his two-homer outburst against the Tampa Bay Rays—starting with a second-deck shot in the first inning off a Mason Englert sinker—Rice joined a near-mythical club on a historic Wednesday night. That first bomb marked his 40th of the year. Not many players can say they’ve done that in pinstripes, and even fewer can say they were originally drafted by the Yankees.

Then he didn’t waste any time. Rice followed up just three innings later with his 41st, putting him dead even with Pete Alonso, Yordan Álvarez, and Junior Caminero for the American League lead. On any team, that’s headline stuff. On the Yankees, it’s rarified air because history isn’t just about numbers here—it’s about names, and Rice is now on a list with real legends.

According to Yahoo Sports, by joining the 40-homer club as a draft pick, Rice stands shoulder to shoulder with only one other Yankee drafted since the MLB Draft began in 1965: Aaron Judge.

That’s not a quirk, it’s history. Think about all the sluggers the Yankees have boasted—Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, Reggie, Giambi—they’re all on the 40-plus homer list, but virtually none of those icons were actually Yankees draft picks. The reason is as much about timing as it is about talent. Pre-draft legends joined before 1965, and plenty of power hitters came via trade or free agency. For an actual homegrown, post-draft Yankee to reach 40 dingers? It takes more than pedigree, it takes a near-perfect season.

Rice hit his 40th and 41st home runs facing the Tampa Bay Rays.
His 41st homer ties him for the AL lead with Alonso, Álvarez and Caminero.
Rice becomes only the second Yankees draftee to hit 40 in a season, after Aaron Judge.
Most iconic Yankees power hitters joined by other means—signings, trades, or pre-draft deals.
Other draftees like Fred McGriff never homered 40 in a season for the Yankees.

Why Rice’s 40-Homer Feat Is So Rare

The short answer: Yankees history, for all its banners, just doesn’t run much on homegrown draft power. Since the draft started, most of the Yankees who’ve blasted over 40 didn’t come up through the system. It’s almost bizarre: the franchise of Ruth, Mantle, DiMaggio, and Gehrig has barely done it with its own draftees.

The Complete 40-Homer Yankees List

Let’s spell it out simply—here are the Yankees’ 40-homer seasons, with how each arrived in the Bronx:

Aaron Judge (draft pick)
Roger Maris (trade)
Babe Ruth (contract purchased)
Mickey Mantle (signed)
Alex Rodriguez (trade)
Lou Gehrig (signed)
Joe DiMaggio (signed)
Tino Martinez (trade)
Curtis Granderson (trade)
Jason Giambi (free agent)
Reggie Jackson (free agent)
Juan Soto (trade)
Ben Rice (draft pick)

If you’re looking for other Yankees draft picks who nearly joined Rice and Judge, you’ll find Fred McGriff, Steve Balboni, and Don Mattingly all topped 35 but fell short. McGriff was closest but never got the chance to do it for the Yankees after being dealt away in a now-infamous trade.

What Bettors Should Take Away

Rice’s power surge is real and historic by Yankees standards.
He’s now tied for the AL home run lead—a sign he’s not fading late in the season.
This pace suggests his prop markets and home run futures may keep value for bettors.
Yankees draftees rarely get this far; Rice is making the most of his opportunity.
Legacy matters in New York—expect more attention, hype, and pressure for Rice as the season wraps.
Historic quirks aside, Rice is now in MVP-worthy territory and is a night-in, night-out threat for power markets.
Remember: even big Yankees names like Jeter and Bernie Williams never neared this level of power.

Key Developments, Why They Matter

Rice’s 40th and 41st homers put him in a four-way tie for the AL lead, lighting up both fantasy and betting markets.
Historic context: Rice is only the second Yankees draft pick to reach this home run total—an achievement that signals not just a hot bat, but true elite status.
Other drafted Yankees greats never made it to 40, showing how rare this breakout really is.

FAQs

More coverage: MLB news coverage and MLB analysis and odds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ben Rice hit two home runs in the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, bringing his season total to 41.

He is only the second Yankees draft pick ever to hit 40+ home runs in a season, after Aaron Judge. Most Yankees power hitters were not drafted by the team.

Aaron Judge is the only other Yankees draft pick to reach 40 home runs in a season since the MLB Draft began in 1965.

Fred McGriff, Steve Balboni, and Don Mattingly all topped 35 in a season but never reached 40. McGriff never played for the Yankees in the majors.

Legends like Babe Ruth (purchase), Lou Gehrig (signed), and Alex Rodriguez (trade) were not Yankees draft picks, highlighting how rare Rice’s achievement is.

At 41 home runs, Ben Rice is tied for the American League lead alongside Pete Alonso, Yordan Álvarez, and Junior Caminero.

Rice’s breakout power numbers could affect his odds in prop bets and award races. His form and context show he’s a rare threat to deliver late in the year.