Miami Marlins budding superstar Jazz Chisholm Jr. is without question the face of the franchise down in South Florida, and this season his star-power is set to soar even higher.
Already the poster boy for this year’s MLB The Show 2023, the official video game of Major League Baseball, there was another announcement this offseason that could add even more cache to his name. Fresh off his first All-Star campaign as a second baseman, the Marlins announced that he will switch positions and man centerfield for Miami this season.
In his first game at the position, Jazz took the collar (0-for-4, 2 Ks) in a 5-3 Miami Marlins loss to the New York Mets on Opening Day. However, better days are surely ahead for the Marlins star with 161 games to go.
Naturally, people immediately questioned the idea of moving someone who has played infield their entire lives to the outfield, but the idea to make the switch was actually made by Jazz himself.
“I mean it was really my decision,” said Chisholm during a media session in Miami. “So it wasn’t really a like time to be like, ‘oh I’m probably gonna go train because they’re gonna put me in the outfield.’ It was more like, ‘Ok imma go in the outfield because I want to win.”
This quote reminded me of what Jazz said when he spoke to me for MLBBro.com at the beginning of last season in regard to a different position change. As we all know, Chisholm came up as a shortstop and that was his preferred position, but the ‘Bahamian Blur ‘ was willing to switch positions in order to win.
“I just started playing second base when I got to the big leagues. I do have a preference of shortstop, but learning a new position ain’t bad.”
Jazz’s words turned out to be prophetic, as he adapts to another position in the pros in order to help the Marlins bring winning baseball back to Little Havana. He has already made it known that he plans to bring the same mentality that helped him turn heads at second to his new position, even predicting a Gold Glove.
“Like I remember last year when I went out there and I did my early work every day before games, I would always learn every field that I’ve been on. I feel like that helped me a lot defensively, so I just plan on doing that everyday again. Just going out there taking a couple steps on the warning track before the game, figure it out a little bit and then go and play.”
Moving from second base to centerfield alters the pantheon of MLBbros that Chisholm will enter, as some of the greatest Black players of all-time have manned the position. Names like Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Torii Hunter and Kenny Lofton; these are some legendary leather flashers he can look to for inspiration.
Hall of Famer Tim Raines Made The Switch
Now, the players we mentioned before had played the position their entire lives, but there is another OG MLBbro who not only made the switch from second base to outfield, but he also played the position well enough to make it all the way to Cooperstown. Montreal Expos great Tim Raines came up as a second baseman in their farm system before becoming an outfielder full time in 1985. Raines went on to become a seven-time All Star, Silver Slugger and two-time World Series Champion.
Chisholm still has work to do in order to accomplish the things that these greats have done, and the first step to that will be staying healthy the majority of the season. That was the one knock on his last season, as injuries allowed him to compete in only 60 games last season.
It’s so funny when I play 155 games this year the bandwagon gonna be so real and I don’t wanna hear it!! Your tweets have been bookmarked! #keepdoubting
In only his third big league season, the man simply known as “Jazz” will be rocking the streets of L.A. to show off his game, and his one-of-a-kind electric personality in this year’s Midsummer Classic.
Jazz Chisholm is having the best season of his young career, has been voted to his first All-Star Game, and will be the starting second baseman for the National League. In the 60 games he’s played, he is batting .254, with 14 home runs, 45 RBI, with a .325 on-base percentage and .535 slugging percentage. His .254/.325/.535 statline are all highs of his career, with his home runs and RBI both on pace to be career highs as well.
Originally from the Bahamas, Chisholm moved to the U.S. when he was 12 to complete his education, along with being a three-sport athlete. He then would sign as an international free agent back in 2015 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he would spend the first four years of his professional career.
On July 31st, 2019, the trading deadline of the MLB season of that year, Chisholm, who ended up working his way up to becoming one of the Dbacks top prospects, was dealt to the Marlins in exchange for Zac Gallen. He would then spend the rest of that season on Miami’s Double A affiliate. In the shortened 2020 season, he made his debut with the team in September and became the team’s full-time starting second baseman after the conclusion of spring training for the 2021 season.
In his first full big league season, he played in 124 games, and slashed a .248/.303/.425 statline, with 18 home runs, and 53 RBI. He did manage to steal 23 bases last season, but got caught eight times, which was the most in baseball. On the defensive end, from both second base and shortstop, he ended up committing 24 errors, which was tied for the most in the league.
To go along with his improvements, Chisholm has earned himself to become a fan-favorite in not just Miami, but throughout all of baseball. Besides the excitement he brings on the field, he brings that fiery energy on social media as well. There are several instances where he responds to his haters or is simply just trolling on platforms like Twitter. While many people may not like this one bit, Chisholm very much draws in a crowd of young kids/teenagers with his big social media personality, which is the exact crowd the MLB is trying to attract, making him a perfect fit for today’s MLB.
While most of it may just be all fun and games, there has been at least one instance where his activity got him in trouble, where he expressed his frustrations with the team on social media when they chose not to insert him into the starting lineup. This instance of immaturity is simply just a learning opportunity to grow and for him to become a better leader, what the team needs him to be.
The Marlins are certainly not competing for a title this year, as they are just trying to get the right pieces to the puzzle for their future. They are certainly headed in the right direction, especially with their young second baseman being that core piece.
The Miami Marlins is a franchise that has been around for almost 30 years. While the Marlins do not have a long and storied history, their tenure is full of finding and developing All-Star talent and potential franchise-leading caliber players who eventually leave the organization.
From current players such as Marcell Ozuna, J.T. Realmuto, Giancarlo Stanton, and Christian Yelich, going all the way back to Miguel Cabrera and Josh Beckett, the Marlins have struggled to retain their elite ballers over the years.
If Miami has learned its lesson from past mistakes, the team would be smart to not let history repeat itself with rising star and MLBbro Jazz Chisholm Jr.
A Shining Star
The Marlins’ second baseman radiates greatness. Although the team has been middle of the pack league this year, in terms of wins and losses, Chisholm Jr. has given fans much to be excited about.
The first quarter of the 2022 season has been undeniably astonishing for Chisolm who has produced a batting average of.290 with seven home runs and 27 RBI.
Factoring in above average defense, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has arguably been the best second baseman in the National League.
Barring injury, or other unforeseen circumstances, he should be the National League starting second baseman in this year’s All-Star game.
The Marlins are still not fully ready to compete in the playoffs, but fans have to be worried that the team may make the same mistakes as before and trade an All-Star level player before capitalizing on his greatness.
Exceeding Expectations
Entering the season, the Marlins were not completely sold on their young prospect, after a 2021 season that showed much promise. He began 2022 batting in the ninth spot, but he would soon show that his approach at the plate was much more valuable. Unfortunately, Jr. still has been dismal against left-handed pitchers, batting sub .150 against them, but he has been commendable against righties batting above .320 in opposite-handed matchups.
Since the early portion of the season, he has been entrenched as the table setter in the leadoff spot. With impressive power and speed, he gives the Marlins a threat in the lineup that they have not had since the likes of their last MVP Giancarlo Stanton.
As long as Miami keeps Chisholm Jr. in the organization they will always have an elite cornerstone piece to build around with a Top 20 WAR rating (2.0).
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is already amongst the game’s most productive players.
Swagger and Flair
As if the statistical proof wasn’t enough to convince the Marlins to throw a huge bag at keeping The Bahamian Blur hitched long term, his swagger, presence, and charisma should seal the deal.
Not only does he add excitement in his play with electrifying speed, he gives fans the total package with other entertaining antics. Chisholm Jr. has become famous for mimicking the basketball move, the “euro step” (faking the ball from one side to the other) before crossing home plate after home runs.
His new Marlins culture has even become infectious as last year Nationals Pitcher John Rogers, also recreated the euro step after striking out Chisholm Jr. The flair with which he plays makes the game fun for not only fans, but also other players.
He is so over with the fans, his signature Home Run celebration was added to the popular baseball game, MLB the Show franchise. Not only for his productivity on the field, but for the fantastic box-office caliber player he can be, Marlins fans at long last may have a star that will be around for a while.
In any level of sports, a team needs a big-time name for their fanbase to identify with. In Major League baseball, no team has struggled with its identity more than the Miami Marlins. Even with two World Series championships, the franchise has consistently been at the bottom of the league in attendance and to take it even further, relevance.
Right now, there is no “Face of the Marlins” for fans to get excited about. Over the years, the team’s homegrown talent has not resonated with fans and the ownership group has shied away from signing expensive big-name free agents. The only names that commanded attention the last few seasons were in the front office with Derek Jeter, who recently left as CEO, and general manager Kim Ng, who made history as baseball’s highest-ranking female executive and first woman general manager in the four major professional sports leagues.
These are admirable choices, but not enough to fire up a fanbase…until now. His name? Jazz Chisholm Jr., the charismatic and highly skilled baller also known as “The Bahamian Blur.”
Early this season, Chisholm Jr. has started on fire offensively ranking among team leaders in hits, runs, triples and home runs while leading the team in RBI. But it’s his following that has his popularity surging to levels not seen since the late Jose Fernandez, who was the Marlins’ last real superstar. No Marlins player has transcended their on-field exploits to social media or the collective industry like Jazz has.
Recently, Jazz added the video game industry to his resume. The developers of the MLB The Show 22 not only selected Chisholm as their Faces of the Franchises Marlins card but recreated his patented Euro step home run celebration as well.
it will be interesting to see if baseball’s biggest social media MLBbro expands his on-field production as fast as his online popularity. Teammate and clubhouse leader, Miguel Rojas has been working out and counseling Chisholmvia Fox Sports to just be himself.
“He’s already a fan favorite. Young fans, old fans, people who’ve been around baseball, they like the way he plays and everything that he brings to the table,” Rojas said. “What I say to Jazz, though, is that now is your time to focus on your game. Your game will speak for you. The things that you do on the field and off the field, you don’t have to do too much. A lot of people already like you.”
MLBbro.com’s Dante Miles featured Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the latest episode of What’s Poppin.
What’s Poppin’ heads down to South Florida for a bro who has been red hot at the plate.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is on a tear right now; looking to lead the Marlins to another series win over the Cardinals.
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