Tampa – That’s all I’m a defensive expert.
Yes, Trent Grisham continues his first-rate defense at center field, but he also continues to swing his hot bat, making it difficult for manager Aaron Boone to move him away from the lineup.
Grisham defeated the Rays 4-0 on Sunday to get his third straight start, leading the game on a home run and added a strong diving catch in a gap that later turned into double play.
“He’s doing incredible things,” Aaron Judge said. “He led the game especially with Homer and made that kind of dive play and he’s doing it all for us now.”
After homering in a back-to-back game, Grisham made six home runs that year, choking the judge’s heel (7) for a team lead.
The left-handed batter has hit .320 with 1.093 OPS throughout 20 games.
“He was very good,” manager Aaron Boone said before the match when Grisham was first asked about the leadoff as a Yankee. “Obviously I love the way he plays overall right now.”
The outfield played difficult at Steinbrenner field throughout the four-game series due to the Howling wind, but Grisham made it look easy.
On the fifth Sunday he fought the wind and temporarily held Max Fried’s hitless bid in line to lob a sliced fly ball hit Jake Mangham.
Grisham then rose to his feet and fired a strike at 2 base, nailing Danny Jansen.
“Really good play,” Cody Bellinger said. “It’s really windy and he did a great job getting to the ball. Not only that, he’s picking up his head right away and making great throws. It’s not easy to get up and make the perfect throw. Heads-up baseball player.
Grisham’s two-way play forced Boone to continue to find a way to lead him into the lineup.
On Sunday he got there with Judge Aaron slipping into DH for Ben Rice.
In the previous two games, Grisham had each rested from Bellinger and Jackson Dominguez.
“The good thing is, we have so many really good players and options right now,” Boone said. “So try to keep the best balance possible. Keep all these people sharp and get them there in the best possible situation.”
