NEW YORK — Jazz Chisholm Jr. once again stepped into the spotlight on Monday night, in the New York Yankees’ 10-5 win over the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium. The standout second baseman powered the offense with his 25th home run of the season, a personal best that underscored his rising value during the Yankees’ playoff pursuit.
Chisholm reaches new career milestone with explosive blast
In the fifth inning, Chisholm sent a two-run home run deep to right field. The 390-foot shot off Nationals right-hander Brad Lord extended the Yankees’ lead to 7-0. It was his third homer in two games.
Chisholm had lined out and struck out in his earlier at-bats, but when his moment came, he capitalized. His poise at the plate has become a key feature of his breakout 2025 season.
The 27-year-old from the Bahamas surpassed his previous best of 24 home runs, a total he reached across 147 games in 2024 between the Marlins and Yankees. This year, he achieved that milestone in just 99 games.
Power surge continues after emotional weekend
Chisholm’s homer followed a two-home-run performance Sunday against Boston, a game in which he marked his 100th career home run. The achievement came under heavy emotional weight, as he played shortly after the death of a close friend.
“It felt kind of surreal. I lost my best friend yesterday,” Chisholm said after Sunday’s game. “Today felt like a different type of day, especially with the 100th home run coming today.”
Manager Aaron Boone credited Chisholm’s development at the plate this season.
“I feel like he’s doing a good job of being patient at the plate,” Boone said. “That’s something he’s done well, I feel like, all year. He’s gotten a little bit better from a patience standpoint.”
Advanced metrics showcase elite two-way impact
Chisholm’s numbers go beyond power. His 2025 Statcast profile includes an 89.1 mph average exit velocity, a 43.6 percent hard-hit rate, and a 16.6 percent barrel rate. He has a .352 weighted on-base average and a .370 expected wOBA.
On defense, Chisholm has brought stability back to second base. After a temporary shift to third last season, his return to his primary position has helped the Yankees tighten their infield. He has now logged over 1,330 innings at second with a .971 fielding percentage, seven defensive runs saved, and eight outs above average.
Historic power-speed combination sets Yankees apart
Chisholm became the first Yankee since Curtis Granderson in 2011 to record at least 25 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season. Among infielders, the last to hit that benchmark was Alex Rodriguez during his MVP campaign in 2007.
He entered Monday ranked third on the team in home runs despite being only eighth in at-bats (351). His 22 stolen bases were the highest on the team, and his OPS of .818 placed him among the Yankees’ top-performing starters.
The power-speed profile has redefined how the Yankees can manufacture offense. New York has now hit 23 home runs over the past seven games, the most in the majors during that span.
Defensive excellence complements offensive surge
Returning to second base has unlocked Chisholm’s best defensive form. He struggled with communication and positioning while filling in at third base earlier in the year. Since moving back, the infield has been more cohesive.
“Elite defender, elite slugging, fast, great defense,” Chisholm said. “I don’t know what else to tell you. It sounds like a complete player to me.”
His current defensive form follows a 2023 season where he played in center field for Miami and posted a .983 fielding percentage. Back at second, he’s provided a much-needed upgrade over the Yankees’ earlier defensive struggles in the middle infield.
Yankees offense finds rhythm at crucial time
Monday marked the second straight game in which the Yankees lineup delivered in all phases. After weeks of inconsistency in August, the bats erupted again.
Ben Rice hit a 435-foot home run, his longest to date. Jasson Dominguez ended a long homerless stretch with a three-run shot. Cody Bellinger drove in three runs as well.
Despite leading MLB in total home runs, the Yankees entered the game ranked just seventh in team batting average at .251.
Room for improvement despite power display
Chisholm’s slugging has dominated headlines, but his batting average leaves room for growth. He came into Monday hitting .217 in August and .239 for the season.
“Once I’m healthy, I can do a lot more,” Chisholm said. “And I still was hurt for like 30 games already. So I feel like if I could have stayed healthy the whole season, I would have helped a lot more.”
He missed about a month with an oblique strain earlier this year. Still, his numbers suggest he could reach a 30-30 season if healthy through the final weeks.
Championship aspirations fuel late-season push
The Yankees have closed to within half a game of the top American League Wild Card slot after struggling earlier in the month.
“We definitely needed this one tonight,” Chisholm said after the win. “A little momentum going into the next series. We’re trying to make it to the playoffs, but we’re definitely just trying to take it day by day and win by win.”
As September nears, Chisholm’s ability to contribute on both sides of the ball has made him an irreplaceable piece in the Yankees‘ postseason chase.
Chisholm has grown into a cornerstone figure alongside Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. His ability to impact the game with speed, power, and defense has firmly cemented his place among the league’s most exciting stars.
What do you think?
