NEW YORK — Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham has entered a power-hitting club that only three others in Major League Baseball history have joined. With 31 home runs and 10 doubles this season, Grisham now stands alongside Mark McGwire and Giancarlo Stanton as one of the few players to hit 30 or more homers with 10 or less doubles in a single year.
The 28-year-old has become only the fourth player to post a season with those exact figures, showcasing his raw power and tendency to clear the fence instead of settling for extra-base hits that stay in the park.
Grisham’s stat line highlights a unique combination of strength and approach. When he makes solid contact, the ball tends to leave the yard—rarely stopping at second base.
From trade afterthought to major contributor
Grisham arrived in the Bronx as a secondary piece in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade following the 2023 season. Initially considered a throw-in, he remained with the Yankees after Soto signed with the Mets during the offseason. What followed has been one of the more unexpected individual success stories of the year.
Now in his seventh MLB season, Grisham has shattered several personal bests. His 31 home runs easily eclipse his previous high of 17 in 2022. He has also tallied 67 RBIs, surpassing his former top mark of 62 set in 2021.
This is in sharp contrast to his 2024 campaign offered little hope. He batted just .190 over 76 games, going 34-for-179 with 21 runs, eight doubles, nine home runs, 31 RBIs, 22 walks and one stolen base. His poor production raised doubts about whether he even belonged on a big-league roster.
Mechanical tweaks drive offensive turnaround
Grisham’s resurgence began with a change in his batting stance. He shifted from a closed to an open setup, unlocking more pull-side power. As a left-handed hitter at Yankee Stadium, the change has paid off thanks to the short right-field porch.
His 2025 Statcast numbers underline the difference. He now has an average exit velocity of 91.1 mph and a 45.8% hard-hit rate. His expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) sits at .375, while his barrel rate has jumped to 14.2%. Each of these metrics ranks among the best of his career.
Grisham has also shown more discipline at the plate. After striking out at a rate above 27% in each of the past three years, he has lowered that number to 21% while maintaining a walk rate near 10%.
A rare power stat with legendary names
Grisham’s 30-homer, nine-double stat line puts him in historic company. Any additional double would remove him from the club, but for now, he shares this mark with some of the biggest power hitters in the sport.
McGwire first achieved the feat during one of his most dominant power-hitting seasons. Stanton, who remains Grisham’s teammate, also accomplished it in the midst of his climb up MLB’s all-time home run list. Stanton recently became the fourth-fastest player to reach 400 home runs, doing so in fewer games than all but McGwire, Babe Ruth, and Alex Rodriguez.
This particular stat occurs only when a hitter produces so much raw power that balls typically headed for the gap instead soar over the fence.
Grisham becomes unexpected spark for Yankees
Grisham wasn’t in the Yankees’ Opening Day lineup. Now, he’s among the club’s top offensive weapons. He ranks second on the team in home runs and third in OPS+, while consistently hitting in key situations.
He has already surpassed his career high in home runs and has become the regular leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers. Over 123 games, Grisham is hitting .247 with an .840 OPS.
His recent form has been even more impressive. He has hit nine of his 30 home runs in the last 15 games, helping carry the Yankees through a critical stretch in the playoff race.
Contract year could bring major payday
Grisham’s breakout has arrived at the perfect time financially. Now on a $5 million, one year contract, he will become a free agent after the 2026 season, but his 2025 numbers could position him for a lucrative contract extension or new deal.
The Yankees now face a decision. Grisham’s production, paired with his defense, may warrant a long-term investment. His rise from afterthought in a blockbuster deal to key contributor is one of the most surprising and impactful developments of the season.
For now, Trent Grisham remains a major reason why the Yankees are in the playoff hunt—and why his name sits next to Stanton and McGwire in a club no one saw coming.
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