Josh Kirshenbaum, a reporter/producer for MLB.com, contributed from Seattle.
Trent Grisham’s job is simple, to a certain extent: Make manager Aaron Boone’s job difficult. Entering the season envisioned as the fourth outfielder on the Yankees roster, there seemed to be plenty of at-bats for the 28-year-old, but maybe not consistent starts. He’d have to hit his way into the mix on a nightly basis. That’s just what he’s done -- and then some -- in a start to the year that’s not only put Grisham in line for regular playing time, but could earn the first All-Star nod of his career. “I’m having fun with the guys,” Grisham said recently. “I would say that, more than anything. The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap [Aaron Judge]. So I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.” |
Grisham’s enjoyment continued in the Yankees’ series in Seattle, where he logged his fourth career multi-homer game in Monday’s opener. Now with 12 homers, he’s within striking distance of a career-high 17, back in ‘22 -- and he hit No. 12 that season on Aug. 2. “What Trent’s done, coming in as probably the fourth outfielder, his at-bat quality and what he’s brought has been enormous for us,” Boone said. Grisham, leading off for the 11th time this season, started his night in the third inning, sending an 87.2 mph Emerson Hancock offering out to dead center -- with a little help from Julio Rodríguez, who leapt at the wall in an attempt to make a highlight-reel catch but only tipped it over. Coming back up to lead off the fifth, Grisham slammed a 93.8 mph fastball from just about the same location and sent it over the fence, going a Statcast-projected 412 feet at an exit velocity of 105.6 mph. Grisham finished the night 3-for-6. He followed that with a 2-for-5 night on Tuesday, then went hitless with a walk in Wednesday’s 3-2 Yankees win -- although Rodríguez got some revenge with an amazing home run robbery. Grisham will arrive at Friday’s Subway Series with a .283/.367/.628 slash line. |
So how is Grisham, a career .213 hitter entering this season, doing it? “He’s just making great swing decisions,” Boone said. “Obviously, hitting with a ton of power, hitting the ball with authority. But it’s a good at-bat all the time. That’s what we’ve seen, really starting in Spring Training. His at-bats have been really consistent.” Meanwhile, his contact rate on pitches in the strike zone this season is 87.7%, nearly 10 points higher than his combined rate from 2022-24. All of that translates into a .995 OPS that ranks second on the Yankees, only behind Judge. His expected slugging percentage of .623 ranks seventh-best among all Major Leaguers, listed just behind names like Fernando Tatis Jr. (.630) and Freddie Freeman (.630). Grisham’s previous high was .482, back in 2020. Sure, this makes Boone’s job more complicated, squeezing Grisham in alongside Cody Bellinger and Jasson Domínguez. The Yankees aren’t complaining. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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The Subway Series returns to Yankee Stadium, and in case you can’t score one of the hottest tickets in town, here’s another option to see every pitch of the Yankees/Mets series. Beginning Friday, the World Trade Center will host a free watch party at North Oculus Plaza, featuring all three games shown on a large projection screen with speakers. Attendees will be able to order food and drinks from Oculus Beer Garden and Westfield World Trade Center shops and restaurants. Lawn games, such as cornhole and Connect Four, will also be available, and a DJ will be on site to offer additional entertainment. For more information, visit here. |
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Which of the following players was not traded between the Yankees and Mets? A. Armando Benitez B. David Justice C. Al Leiter D. Mike Stanton |
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THIS DATE IN YANKEES HISTORY |
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May 15, 1941: Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak begins in understated fashion, with DiMaggio logging a single off lefty Eddie Smith in a 13-1 loss vs. the White Sox at Yankee Stadium. |
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C. Leiter Leiter pitched for both the Yankees (1987-89, 2005) and Mets (1998-2004), but he was never traded directly between the teams. Wait a second, you might be saying: “I don’t remember Justice on the Mets.” No, he never played for the Mets, but the Yankees sent him there in a December 2001 deal for Robin Ventura. The Mets flipped Justice to the A’s for two pitchers, Mark Guthrie and Tyler Yates. |
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