The New York Yankees are gearing up for an exciting week as their standout second baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr., prepares to showcase his power in the 2025 Home Run Derby. Announced on July 10, Chisholm will be the final participant in the eight-man field set to compete on July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta during All-Star week. This marks a significant moment for the Yankees, as Chisholm becomes the first player from the Bronx since Aaron Judge and Gary Sánchez in 2017 to take part in the Derby.
Chisholm’s journey to this spotlight has been nothing short of impressive. Despite missing the entire month of May due to a right oblique strain, he has bounced back with vigor, hitting seven home runs in his last 12 games and totaling 17 homers on the season as of July 10. His recent power surge was highlighted by a two-homer performance on July 9 in a 9-6 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Over 61 games this season, Chisholm has compiled a slash line of .251/.346/.530, with 10 doubles, 43 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. More notably, since returning from the injured list on June 3, he has slashed an impressive .316/.388/.640 in 31 games, showing a remarkable offensive uptick.
Chisholm’s enthusiasm for the Derby was evident even before the official invitation. "I think I’d have some fun doing it," he said earlier in the week. "I’d probably do it. They gotta ask me, though." The call came shortly thereafter, much to the delight of Yankees fans and the player himself. Chisholm also revealed a personal touch to his Derby plans—he wants his stepdad and longtime mentor, Geron Sands, to pitch to him during the competition. "He’s been coaching me from when I was a baby, so we’ve talked about it," Chisholm shared. "Like, ‘Yeah, you’re gonna be my Home Run Derby thrower when I get to the league.’ I used to hit bombs as a kid, bro." This adds a sentimental layer to what promises to be a thrilling showcase of power hitting.
The Derby field is stacked with talent, featuring major league stars such as Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, Cal Raleigh from the Seattle Mariners (the majors’ home run leader), Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, James Wood from the Washington Nationals, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Junior Caminero representing the Tampa Bay Rays, and Brent Rooker of the Sacramento Athletics. The competition is fierce, but Chisholm’s recent hot streak and natural flair for the dramatic provide a compelling narrative heading into the event.
While Chisholm’s offensive prowess is undeniable, there are concerns about his health heading into the Derby. After missing significant time due to his oblique strain, he has also been managing a sore shoulder, which he admits bothers him more defensively than at the plate. Manager Aaron Boone has been cautious but optimistic about Chisholm’s condition, especially since the Derby demands intense swinging and stamina. Boone also recently moved Chisholm back to his natural second base position from third base, aiming to ease his defensive workload. Meanwhile, the Yankees released veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu, signaling a shift and a vote of confidence in Chisholm’s role.
Beyond Chisholm’s Derby appearance, the Yankees are facing challenges in their pitching staff. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt is set to undergo Tommy John surgery on July 11, performed by Dr. Keith Meister. This procedure will sideline Schmidt for the remainder of the 2025 season and likely most, if not all, of the 2026 campaign. Manager Aaron Boone noted on July 10 that it is still too early to determine if Schmidt’s surgery will include an internal brace, which can sometimes accelerate recovery. The Yankees are feeling the pinch, as Gerrit Cole also underwent UCL reconstruction with an internal brace in March and is expected to be out for about 14 months. Luis Gil, sidelined with a strained lat, might return by August, but the team’s rotation depth remains a concern.
General manager Brian Cashman openly acknowledged pitching as the Yankees’ biggest concern heading into the July 31 trade deadline. “It’s always pitching,” Cashman said on July 9. “We’ve taken hits to the rotation going back to when we lost Cole and then Luis Gil and obviously now Schmidt. … We have people that are capable, but I think it also needs to get some help. If I can do so, great. But there’s no guarantees.”
One potential in-house option is swingman Ryan Yarbrough, who had been a bright spot as a fill-in No. 5 starter until straining his oblique in mid-June. Encouragingly, Yarbrough resumed throwing on July 9 after a nearly two-and-a-half-week shutdown, and if his rehab progresses well, he could return to the mound by early August. Meanwhile, outfielder Trent Grisham returned to the lineup on July 10 after a hamstring scare, though Boone indicated he isn’t yet at full strength. Injured list additions like Mark Leiter Jr., sidelined with a left fibular head stress fracture, are also on the mend, with hopes he can resume throwing by the weekend of July 12-13. Reliever Yerry De Los Santos is nearing live batting practice after dealing with right elbow discomfort.
In other Yankees news, a notable streak will come to an end this weekend when Paul Olden, the Yankee Stadium PA announcer, steps away from the Cubs series due to a personal obligation. Olden has been the voice behind the microphone for every Yankee Stadium home game, regular season and playoffs, since the stadium opened in 2009—a remarkable streak of 1,339 consecutive games. Filling in for Olden will be Mark Fratto, the PA announcer for NYCFC.
As the All-Star Game approaches, manager Aaron Boone expressed a more open stance toward the use of the Automatic Ball-Strike System (ABS) for the event, a system he had previously criticized during its spring training trial. Boone commented, “I think it’ll be good and another test run on a big stage to see it play out. I like the dramatic effect of it in the building, which I think will be cool. I don’t know if and when or what the final iteration will be moving forward when we get into next year for real games, but I like that we continue to test these things, whether it be in the minor leagues or a showcase game like this.”
Looking ahead, the Yankees will be hoping that Chisholm can keep his hot streak alive and come through the Derby healthy, providing a boost to the team’s morale amid pitching uncertainties. With the trade deadline looming and injuries testing the roster’s depth, every bit of momentum counts. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not just swinging for fences in Atlanta; he’s swinging for the future of the Yankees’ season.
