The Most Important Yankee of 2025
2025 is an immensely important year for the New York Yankees. A season after they made the World Series for the first time in 15 years, the expectation now is for the Yankees to take that next step and win it all.
The most important Bomber to help realize the dream of Mission 28 is Jazz Chisholm. The 27-year-old second baseman is the key because he could be the table setter to Aaron Judge while also needing to be the protection for the Yankee captain. It is undetermined where Chisholm will bat in New York’s order in the upcoming season, but with the injury to Giancarlo Stanton, the need for protection behind Judge to provide power to the Yankee lineup is the number one priority as the ball club moves along in Spring Training. Chisholm in his limited 46-game audition to the Yankee universe was a favorable one. In 191 at-bats the then third baseman batted .276 with seven doubles, 11 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. He was the Yankee offense in a time in late Augus when the Bronx Bombers needed an offensive difference maker.
Chisholm now moves back to his natural position of second base to sure up the Yankees defense in the most important part of the field, up the middle. When Jazz was traded to New York last July, moving to third base and learning a new position on the fly was extremely impressive, should be commended, but also show the flaws of the decision making of the Yankee front office. In the aftermath of the World Series, the defensive lapses of the roster couldn’t be avoided, and have led to some difficult and head scratching decisions. Moving Jazz Chisholm to his statistical best position is a smart move. Not having a realistic full-time third baseman after shifting Chisholm back, is not. But that’s a different story entirely. Having Chisholm back at second base could be the most important part of why he is the most important Yankee on the roster because of how it will help the run prevention.
That’s not to discount his offensive output, it will most likely go up from his statistical norms because of the nature of the ballparks in the American League East. Not just Yankee Stadium. Chisholm will have Pesky’s pole, the triangle, and Eutaw Street but won’t need to rely on that. He can create runs with his legs. With his speed, Chisholm will add the ability to score a run in a blink of an eye if he gets on base in a part of the order that will not pack a punch to start the season.
Further it’s not just what Chisholm will bring on the diamond for the Yankees this year. In his career Chisholm has been one of the most vocal players in the league. His comments will be dissected more than ever and how the Yankee second baseman will react to the press around both his play and his personality will go a long way in the success or failure of the 2025 Yankees.
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