It’s safe to say Jazz Chisholm Jr. is fitting in nicely with the New York Yankees. The 26-year-old is thriving and even making a little history.
Since being acquired in a trade on July 27, Chisholm has recorded 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 39 games wearing pinstripes. According to OptaStats, he’s only the third player in the live ball era to post those numbers in fewer than 40 games with one team, alongside Raul Mondesi and Ron Gant.
With the Marlins, Chisholm’s career was seemingly going backward. Over 101 games this season with Miami, he had 13 homers and 39 RBI while slashing only .249/.323/.407 with a .730 OPS.
Chisholm has nearly equaled his home run total with the Yankees in fewer than half the games. Meanwhile, he’s batting .280/.333/.513 with a .847 OPS, adding 18 RBI.
Most importantly, Chisholm is having more fun, leading to more success.
“You can tell that he’s enjoying himself,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “Guys are already starting to throw their arms around him, and he’s fit in right away, with that smile on his face. You can tell he likes the action.”
Additionally, Chisholm is enjoying being a part of a winning Yankees team and embracing the big stage that comes with it. Compared to the Marlins, who are at the bottom of the National League East division at 56-97, being a part of a World Series contender and arguably the most legendary franchise in MLB history is a significant change. However, he’s embracing the big stage and all that comes with it.
The former All-Star told Hoch it’s “what I live for.”
“I love the lights. I love the big crowds,” Chisholm said. “I love everything like that.”