BOSTON — James Rowson said he enjoyed working with Jazz Chisholm Jr., describing his personality as “energetic” and that he just wants to win.
Of course, Rowson, the Yankees hitting coach, wasn’t going to openly criticize the team’s new players, but the positive feedback was better for the team than the alternative.
Rowson served as the Marlins bench coach from 2020-2022 and got to know Chisholm well.
An exciting infielder at the time, he made his debut in ’20, established himself as a major leaguer in ’21, and then had his breakout year in ’22, playing in 60 games as an All-Star with an OPS of .860, 14 home runs and 12 stolen bases, before a back injury ended his season.
But Chisholm is known as much for his controversy as for his play. He was at odds with his teammates in Miami, and the feud between the young, brash player and veteran Marlins leader Miguel Rojas became public after Rojas was traded to the Dodgers.
During a podcast in March, Chisholm, referring to Rojas, said the Marlins’ team leaders “are horrible,” “not nice people” and “disappointing young guys who should be good.”
There appears to be a divide between the up-and-coming young Marlins and the more stalwart older Marlins. As for Chisholm himself, Rowson is excited about the infielder/outfielder he acquired Saturday in a trade for three minor leaguers.
“Electric,” Rowson said of his personality. “I love the Jazz. I spent a lot of time with them in Miami for three years, so I’ve known him for a long time. He’s fun to be around. Really talented guy.”
The Yankees could ask Chisholm, a left-handed swinger with a .730 OPS and 22 stolen bases this season, to play third base unless they plan to acquire second baseman Gleyber Torres in some other way at the trade deadline.
The blow will help a lineup that has been in disarray for six weeks.
“Very talented,” Rowson said before the Yankees took on the Red Sox at Fenway Park, “and you look at him and you see what he can do on the field. The guy has a lot of tools, and those tools play in so many different ways. Anything that I feel will help us, that will help our team, I’m in it.”
And he believes the Yankees clubhouse will support Chisholm.
This offseason, the Yankees acquired Alex Verdugo and Marcus Stroman, both of whom had strong personalities but a reputation for not fitting in every clubhouse.
They’ve come together well so far with Aaron Judge leading the team.
“Having been with this group so far this year, all this group wants is to win,” Rowson said. “With the Jazz, we’ve always wanted to win, so in that respect, I think if you just make the goal to win, more often than not, everything falls into place.”
