BOSTON — The Yankees consider they possess a stronger roster after including Jazz Chisholm Jr., however you is perhaps shocked by how they plan to make use of the speedster.
Acquired from the Marlins on Saturday in alternate for 3 Minor League prospects, the 26-year-old Chisholm batted fifth and performed middle area in Sunday’s 8-2 win over the Pink Sox at Fenway Park.
Chisholm notched his first hit as a Yankee with a leadoff infield single within the ninth inning. He moved to second on Gleyber Torres’ fielder’s alternative grounder, then was checked on after getting hit on his jaw. He shook that off shortly to steal third, and he scored on DJ LeMahieu’s sacrifice fly.
“At the moment was really my first time being a part of a crowd like that,” Chisholm stated. “Being there for it and listening to the rivals, listening to all people yelling Yankees and Pink Sox, I feel it was fairly sick.”
Although most of Chisholm’s profession has been spent within the leadoff spot (192 begins in 403 video games), Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone stated that he envisions utilizing Chisholm in the midst of the batting order, noting that he has seen optimistic indicators from Alex Verdugo and Torres on the prime of the lineup in latest video games.
“Proper now, I’ve bought him in the midst of the order,” Boone stated. “I form of see him there proper now, particularly the way in which Dugey is beginning to swing the bat. I’ll most likely throw Gleyber up there after we get a lefty [opponent]. It may very well be Jazz in some unspecified time in the future, too. We’ll simply form of see the way it all shakes out.”
Chisholm additionally may not spend a lot time within the outfield for the Bombers. Boone stated he’s trying to plant Chisholm on the infield filth, although it isn’t probably that he’ll play a lot second base, the place he moved again to make three appearances (two begins) with the Marlins this season.
As a substitute, the Yankees plan to have Chisholm work with infield coach Travis Chapman on a crash course at third base, a place the place LeMahieu has been struggling. That would start on Monday in Philadelphia.
“I need him to start out working there. It’s not one thing he’s performed,” Boone stated. “He got here up as a shortstop, and I really feel like he has the talent set to do it. He’s open to doing it, however I wish to see how that appears. … I feel it’s one thing that has been part of his sport and can proceed to be part of his sport, that defensive versatility.”
Stated Chisholm: “I went out and there and performed middle area for the primary time final 12 months. It was fairly troublesome at first, however I really feel like I can go and play wherever and assist my workforce win. Particularly a successful workforce, in the event that they’re asking me to go someplace and assist them win, I’m positively going to do it.”
Boone stated that Torres additionally may very well be thought of at third base, however Torres would favor to stay at second.
“I’m a bit of reluctant to try this proper now, however I’ll most likely have Gleyber work over there a bit of bit, simply on totally different days to let it shake out naturally,” Boone stated.
Chisholm has a stronger arm than Torres, who made it clear that he’s not thrilled by the concept of taking part in third base.
“We had a dialog. Every part remains to be on the desk,” Torres stated. “I feel in a few days I’m going to take some grounders at third, simply in case [so] I’m simply form of prepared for something. … I’m a second baseman. I play second.”
Boone stated that regardless that Chisholm might be within the coronary heart of the lineup, the Yankees plan to be aggressive with him on the basepaths.
“I plan on him swiping some bases,” Boone stated. “He and [Anthony] Volpe give us two actually good stolen base choices now.”
The Yankees acquired Chisholm from the Marlins on Saturday in alternate for catcher Agustín Ramirez and infielders Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramirez.
In 101 video games for Miami this season, Chisholm (a 2022 Nationwide League All-Star) slashed .249/.323/.407 (101 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 4 triples, 13 homers, 50 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.
“He needs to win,” Boone stated. “I definitely might hear in his voice how excited he’s to be coming right here, and to have the possibility to win and play with the Yankees, and play with this workforce.”
With Tuesday’s Commerce Deadline approaching, Boone stated that normal supervisor Brian Cashman and the membership’s baseball operations division stay at work in Tampa, Fla., trying to set off extra strikes to enhance the roster.
“It all the time takes a few groups to match up,” Boone stated. “I do know Money and them are all collectively in Tampa working by way of each situation and having the conversations. If not, we’re able to roll, and it’s our job to go on the market and carry out with the group we have now.”
