Ben Rice is an American professional baseball player for the New York Yankees, known for his versatility at first base, designated hitter, and catcher. A lifelong Yankees fan from Massachusetts—despite growing up surrounded by Red Sox supporters—he was drafted out of Dartmouth College in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB draft and made his major league debut on June 18, 2024. His rookie year featured a spectacular milestone: on July 6, 2024, he became the first rookie in Yankees history to hit three home runs in a single game, tying Lou Gehrig's franchise rookie record for RBIs with seven. After an initial hot streak, Rice slumped and was briefly demoted to Triple-A, finishing his 2024 season with a .171 average, but he transformed his physique in the offseason. In 2025, he earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and broke out with elite offensive numbers, including a grand slam against the Athletics on May 11, and finished with a .255 average, 26 homers, and 65 RBIs. He capped his rise by being named to his first MLB All-Star Game in 2026, cementing his role as a key piece for the Bronx Bombers.