PHILADELPHIA — Jazz Chisholm Jr. joined the Yankees offering vibrancy, defensive versatility, speed and power.
Just two games into his career with the Yankees following a trade from the Marlins, Chisholm is off to a promising start.
Not only did he hit two home runs in Monday’s 14-4 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park — one off catcher Garrett Stubbs’ bat, off Aaron Judge — but he also played a flawless third baseman in his first professional game at that position.
“I’ve been really comfortable playing third base,” said Chisholm, who played center field in his first game with the Yankees on Sunday. “It felt great to be back in the infield. I feel like that’s where I belong.”
Chisholm said he felt “okay, comfortable” during warmups after hitting a few ground balls just before his pregame debut on Monday.
“It’s just about making the first pass, letting the ball find me and making the play,” Chisholm said.
It happened in the bottom of the first inning with just two batters on the clock.
After Kyle Schwarber was walked, Trea Turner hit a grounder to third base, which Chisholm worked into a double play.
Chisholm wasn’t forced to make any flashy plays, but he handled just about every ball that came his way, including a nice one in the seventh on a liner off Nick Castellanos.
“He’s got a lot of energy,” Judge said of his new teammate. “He’s excited to be here and he’s having fun. He’s made a big impact.”
The impact was felt on both sides of the ball.
“He’s a special athlete,” manager Aaron Boone said before the game, explaining why he felt comfortable starting Chisholm at third base despite his lack of experience at that position after recently acquiring him in a trade with the Marlins. “He’s developed as a shortstop, but we feel he has all the skill set and ability to be a shortstop.”
Still, the manager acknowledged, “We may have to overcome some growing pains and we’ll have to endure them.”
Boone added that Chisholm won’t necessarily remain at third base, but that’s a possibility.
“We’re going to be fluid,” Boone said. “It’s not set in stone. We want to see what the best combination is for us.”
Gleyber Torres, the other candidate for third base, didn’t seem keen on the suggestion of moving from second to third base when the topic came up Sunday, and the Yankees could also change the makeup of their infield again by adding other players before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Asked if he was “concerned” about potentially putting two players into new positions, with Ben Rice also learning quickly at first base, Boone said, “There’s definitely some things that have to be worked out. Am I concerned? Maybe a little bit. But we have a much better lineup than we had a day or two ago. We’re not a finished team yet.”
But with Chisholm playing two games, things seem to be looking up for them.
“He’s integrated right away,” Boone said. “He loves the action. … You can feel the energy when he walks into the building. He’s a really good addition to our club.”
They’re counting on Chisholm to help out wherever he plays.
“I’m glad he’s been so enthusiastic from the beginning when he got here,” Boone said. “He’s excited to be here and he wants to be around winners.”
