Malik Wright is live at the ballpark in Arlington, Texas as the visiting Yankees prepare for the playoffs. He speaks with Yankees hitting coach James Rowson about:
•What makes Aaron Judge a great hitter
•Rowson’s relationship with Jazz Chisholm Jr. from their time with the Miami Marlins
•Stanton the NY Yankees World Series X factor
•He explains the hitting game his players do in BP
Major League Baseball is trying its best to dominate the headlines to finish out July. Next week, the All-Star Game will feature six MLBbros (Mookie Betts is out with an injury), showcasing to the World the special additive of athleticism, speed and power these players have worked so hard to expose to baseball fans over the past few seasons.
But after the midsummer festivities, the front offices will be back to work full bore as the trade deadline takes over all media coverage on July 30th. One Bro that will be at the top of teams’ wishlist at the end of the month is Jazz Chisholm Jr. According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, the Marlins are believed by many to be looking for trade options for Jazz.
“Chisholm has put together his healthiest season to date, producing at the top of the lineup, and teams are taking notice,” Mish wrote. “Believe it or not, this is the first time there has been genuine interest in Chisholm as injuries and his personality have kept other clubs wondering what they would get in return.”
One of those teams near the top of the list is the New York Yankees who reportedly are discussing bringing in this Bro who can play multiple positions — particularly the infield where the Yanks struggle.
But there’s more to Chisholm’s bounceback season without the injuries that have stunted his progress since his All-Star season in 2022…
All that Jazz with a lead off Bro Bomb 💣 for #MLBbro Jazz Chisholm Jr.❗️🔥 https://t.co/VYUgARxFIK
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) July 10, 2024
Now that Miami is going through yet another change of direction with a fire sale coming, which would include another Bro, Josh Bell, Jazz is their top asset to move.
As stated by Craig Mish earlier, Jazz Chisholm’s personality is considered by some to be a concern. He’s not the only one to report this. MLB Network discussed it as well…
Many fans of the Marlins push back hard here.
There was a time when Chisholm’s play was celebrated. Not only was he playing well before the injuries, but social media and the gaming world was following him. No one offers chip and dip commercials to players with no talent. I’m just sayin’…
Jazz Chisholm euro step is in The Show 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4oSjrlm89k
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 20, 2022
The only thing the Yankees have to consider is that Jazz Chisholm has been in the outfield since 2022. If they use him in the infield, he needs reps ASAP. Other than that, his personality, play and attention-grabbing energy could help save the Yankees from imploding altogether this season.
Aaron Judge has been on a tear for the Bronx bombers. He has a .313 batting average with 32 home runs which leads the league. He started the season slowly, leading some to say he wouldn’t come back to his MVP form but this version of Aaron Judge is nearly identical to the 2022 MVP season.
In 2022 Aaron broke Yankee Hall Of Famer Roger Maris’s American League home run record. Judge, the team captain, holds the record now at 62. He’s on the same pace as 2022. With those 32 home runs at the midway point, it is very possible that we can be watching Judge re-create or even top his season from two years ago.
Three The Hard Way | Yankees Slugger Aaron Judge Could Walk Away With The Triple Crown
Over the last few weeks, the Yankees have not been performing well, even with Judge playing great baseball. This past June the Yankees played their worst baseball of the year. This raises concerns simply because the Bronx Bombers still have two dynamic hitters in the lineup with Judge and Luis Soto. Aaron’s fire-power at the plate hasn’t been enough for the Yanks, but the problem hasn’t been with him; it’s been sort of a chemistry problem. The Yankees added new first baseman Ben Rice and DJ LeMahieu recently came back from injury. Somehow, they don’t seem to be fitting in properly and just like in 2022, the Yankees are looking to Judge to homer them out of their slump.
This MLBbro just may be putting on another historic season but with the team playing so poorly, we can’t tell. In 2022 the season didn’t end with a championship, this season however can be different.
The New York Yankees at one time this season was being compared to the old Bronx Bombers with their version of the roaring 1920s. It wasn’t that the Yankees dominated the American League East, but how they were doing it. The MLBbro tag team of Giancarlo Stanton and the odds on favorite for AL MVP, Aaron Judge, was sending out baseball souvenirs at a rate that made baseball gloves as important as hats.
There are now two questions surrounding the team as of late. Number one, can Aaron Judge duplicate his MVP season numbers or maybe even surpass them?
Aaron Judge at the halfway point, compared to 2022 when he hit 62 home runs 👀
Will Judge hit 60 homers again and win MVP for a 2nd time? pic.twitter.com/040pObOHXS
— MLB (@MLB) June 26, 2024
Number two, what is going on with the recent collapse of the team?
Recently, those all-time greatest New York Yankees team comparisons have ground to a halt with a slide nearly as bad as Aaron Judge’s start in April. As of this writing, the Yanks have lost four straight games and eight of their last ten. With this slide, they have also lost the division lead by percentage points to the Baltimore Orioles. Allowing the New York Mets to sweep the Subway Series with a 12-2 blowout in the finale provides enough evidence that the Yankees need retooling and quick.
It’s no real coincidence that the Yankees’ struggles (Aaron Judge is not on that list) started with the injury to Stanton during the Atlanta Braves series.
Looking at how Giancarlo Stanton rounded third base, you can see him grimacing a bit as he heads to home.”
Hope it’s nothing serious. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/jitwe1xAdO
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) June 23, 2024
Now, with Stanton straining his hamstring, the power surge in the middle of the lineup is missing. With one of the the leading candidates for AL Comeback Player Of the Year out, it’s time for another MLBbro to step up and fill a serious void in the lineup particularly with the pitching starting becoming an issue.
Trent Grisham…
You remember Trent Grisham… the one that stepped into the batter’s box while fans were screaming for Juan Soto. Then he showed class by hitting a home run into the seats and getting a standing ovation in the process. A “Magic Moment” if anyone ever saw one…
This Magic Moment featuring Trent Grisham pic.twitter.com/8CbeKIIvfT
— Dom (@BronxBmbrz) June 10, 2024
What gets lost in that “Magic Moment” is the fact that the Yankees fans did have just cause to ask for Juan Soto. If you thought Aaron Judge was off to a slow start to the season, Grisham made him look like the late Tony Gwynn. However over the last few games, Grisham has started to come on offensively a little bit.
Here’s the comparisons of our MLBbro’s production from the last seven games stretched out to 30 via MLB.com. Over the last seven games which coincides with the Yankees losing streak it does seem that Aaron Judge does have some help in holding down the fort until Giancarlo Stanton makes his return.
The Yankees need someone to protect Aaron Judge from teams starting to pitch around him. Trent’s two homers and three RBI while batting .400 in 10 at-bats surely qualifies. MLBbro.com reporter Gary Sheffield broke down what Grisham can bring earlier this season.
Trent Grisham Is Introducing His Speed and Power To New York Yankees Fans pic.twitter.com/FKZtjSXY7G
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) April 29, 2024
With MLBbro Stanton recovering from a hamstring strain, Trent Grisham is going to have to provide more “Magic Moments” for the Yankees to keep pace with Baltimore.
“Rolls Royce” Lewis is off to the greatest start at the plate in the 123-year history of the Minnesota Twins franchise. Since returning from injury two weeks ago, he has been the best hitter in the Majors, posting a .429/.529/1.000 slash line with five home runs and seven RBI over his last seven games to claim the top spot on Week 12 of our #HighFive list.
It is a tragedy the 2017 first overall pick has only suited up in a Twins uniform for 85 games since debuting in 2022 thanks to a handful of injuries. Similar to their superstar Byron Buxton, who also has had trouble staying on the field, Lewis is a five-tool MVP candidate every time he steps out of the dugout; the only difference is Lewis has a higher ceiling.
Is it Foul or Fair To Say That Royce Lewis Is A Budding Superstar?
Lewis hit the 26th home run of his career Wednesday night, which is the most through the first 85 games in Twins history and eight more than the next closest player. “I do not do that slump thing,” Lewis told reporters postgame Wednesday after collecting an 0-for-5 Tuesday. “That is not a real thing for me. Everyday is a fresh start.”
Hunter Greene was all gas no breaks in his pitching duel versus the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night.
He earned the two spot on the #HighFive list after going 6.1 shutout innings and striking out nine without walking anyone. The start was the 10th time this season Greene has had more than 15 whiffs (swings and misses) in a start, which leads the Majors, while his 98 strikeouts rank seventh in the National League.
He will take on the Pirates again next Tuesday night, this time in front of the Cincinnati faithful.
Giancarlo Stanton is the biggest X-Factor in the Yankees lineup and has played well since June began.
Who Is The Most Important Yankees Player? Aaron Judge, Juan Soto Or Giancarlo Stanton?
This week he slashed .346/.414/.577 with two home runs, seven RBI while compiling a seven-game hitting streak. He has been one of the best hitters in the Majors with runners in scoring position this season and proved so with two big hits Wednesday against the Orioles.
First, with the Yankees down four he launched his 18th homer of the year — a three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to make it a one-run game. Then, in the ninth with one out and a runner on second, Stanton singled in the tying run.
Thanks to being in a market as low on the totem pole as Cleveland is, Josh Naylor may not get the start at first base in the All-Star Game he rightfully deserves, but as long as he keeps mashing it at the plate, he will find his way to Arlington come July.
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After a great start to the year Naylor struggled in May, hitting just .186 despite launching eight home runs. However Naylor has fought his way out of the slump, hitting .360 with a .448 on base percentage and two home runs over his last seven games. Both those homers came Wednesday night in a win over the Seattle Mariners. “When you see a swing like that, it is one that deserves to be in Texas, it can change games,” said Josh’s brother Bo Naylor when asked to campaign him for the All-Star Game.
Similar to Giancarlo Stanton, Cedric Mullins is the X-Factor that will decide the ultimate success of the Baltimore Orioles this season.
Mullins, who hit his first home run since April 26th Thursday afternoon, is hitting .292 with three RBI and two steals in his last seven games.
In Wednesday’s extra inning victory over the Yankees, Mullins put his skill set on full display in the 10th inning.
Mark & Manny Debate The Most Valuable Bro For 2023 | Is it Cedric Mullins or Mookie Betts ? Or…
Not only did he drive in what would end up being the game-winning run, he also stole third and caused a wild throw into the outfield to add on another. “That is what he can do when he gets on base,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said postgame when speaking on Mullins.
“He gets a single, a lot of times it is a double. If he gets a double, he gets an opportunity to take third. There is a lot he can do on the bases for us.”
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