Bare-handed Bomber: Why Yankees’ Trent Grisham chooses to hit without batting gloves?

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Why doesn’t Trent Grisham wear gloves while hitting?

In a modern game filled with technological advances, performance gear, and customized routines, New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham is turning heads. It’s not just for his hot start to the 2025 season, but for an old-school, barehanded batting approach that defies baseball norms. As Aaron Judge and the Yankees chase postseason dreams, Grisham’s gloveless style is quietly becoming one of the most intriguing storylines in the Bronx.

Gloveless and unbothered: A modern-day outlier

In today’s MLB, batting gloves are more than just accessories. They offer improved grip, reduce blisters, and enhance comfort. Yet, Grisham, one of only a handful of players in the league who opts to go without them, views gloves as unnecessary.

“I’ve always liked feeling the bat in my hands,” Grisham reportedly said in a past interview. “It just feels more natural to me.”

Grisham’s preference isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s rooted in performance and mentality. The direct contact with the wood allows him to better understand his swing and make precise in-game adjustments.

A nod to humble beginnings

Grisham’s journey with bare hands began out of necessity. As a kid, his batting gloves tore, and a replacement wasn’t immediately possible. He continued playing without them and found comfort in the feel of raw lumber.

According to a Reddit thread discussing his habits, that adaptation evolved into a personal philosophy—one he carried through high school, the minors, and now to Yankee Stadium.

Grit, identity, and confidence

Baseball, as much mental as physical, is full of rituals. For Grisham, his gloveless grip is a reflection of his gritty, grinder persona. Known for his elite center field defense and hustle, this no-gloves choice aligns perfectly with a blue-collar mentality that Yankees fans admire.

Aaron Judge recently commented on Grisham’s approach, saying, “He’s got his own thing going. It works for him. He brings a different feel to the team—gritty, dependable, and really smart.”

Unorthodox routine, real results

Grisham’s pregame rituals are as distinctive as his in-game presence. During batting practice, he’s often seen standing upright, helmet off, casually swinging—a routine that might look lazy to the untrained eye but is entirely intentional.

“Everybody’s always surprised,” Grisham told the New York Post. “Their first instinct is that I don’t care about BP. It’s not that—I care about it very much. It’s just, that’s what I have to do to get the best out of myself.”

Teammates like Marcus Stroman have praised Grisham’s consistency and calm demeanor, describing him as “the same guy each and every day.”

A strong start in 2025

The numbers speak for themselves. After a challenging 2024 season where Grisham hit just .190 in limited duty, he’s rebounded in a big way. In his first seven games of 2025, he has reached base in six and is hitting an impressive .471 with multiple home runs, including a two-homer game against the Pirates on April 5 that helped lead the Yankees to a 10-4 win.

That performance marked his third career multi-homer game, and it caught national attention—not just for the power, but for the hands that held the bat for the New York Yankees.

From Soto trade to Bronx impact

Acquired from the Padres in the blockbuster Juan Soto deal in December 2023, Grisham was viewed primarily as a depth piece. But as the Yankees’ season progresses, he’s proving to be much more: a steady glove in the outfield and a surprising bat in key moments.

His 2025 slash line of .251/.345/.417 reflects a balanced approach, with solid on-base skills and timely hitting—all accomplished without batting gloves.

A link to baseball history

Grisham joins a rare club of hitters who go without gloves, following the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Moises Alou, and Will Clark. Alou once famously said, “You cannot develop a relationship between your skin and the wood if you use batting gloves.”

That sentiment resonates with Grisham, whose style nods to the pre-glove era when pine tar, dirt, and raw grip ruled the batter’s box.

A statement of authenticity

Grisham’s choice may seem minor, but it’s a bold expression of individuality in a league where conformity often reigns. By ditching the gloves, he invites vulnerability—risking discomfort in exchange for better feel and a deeper connection to the game.

In an era of analytics and equipment optimization, Grisham reminds us of the sport’s core: feel, rhythm, and confidence.

Gripping success the old-school way

As the Yankees eye a return to October under the leadership of Aaron Judge, players like Trent Grisham add depth, character, and surprise spark. His barehanded batting isn’t a gimmick—it’s a philosophy, one that reflects his baseball journey and ongoing growth.

With every at-bat, Grisham grips the bat his way—with nothing but instinct, strength, and trust. And in doing so, he’s proving that sometimes, the best grip on the game doesn’t come from gloves, but from embracing the feel of the game, literally.

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