Yankees Bring In Jazz To Get Rhythm Back To Season

 

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees made a widely-anticipated move on Saturday, as they acquired infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins for a trio of prospects from the minor league system, catcher Agustín Ramírez, infielder Jared Serna and infielder Abrahan Ramírez.

Chisholm Jr., a five-year veteran, is still just 26 years old, and he has primarily been center field, but just recently started playing some at second base, which will give the Yankees flexibility at two positions somewhat in flux. His ability to play center field will come in handy, as they are mindful of how much time Aaron Judge plays there, and at second base, Gleyber Torres is perhaps having his worst season in his eight years in pinstripes.

This season, Chisholm is on track for his best season in the Majors, as he hit .249 (96-for-386) with a .323 on-base percentage and a .407 slugging percentage, as he has 13 home runs, 50 RBI, 46 runs scored, 14 doubles, 4 triples, 39 walks, and 22 stolen bases in 101 games with the Marlins this season. He has appeared defensively in centerfield, with 95 games (94 starts) and three games (two starts) at second base. His 39 walks this year are already a career high (his previous high was 34 in 2021), and he ranked fifth in triples in the National League, and seventh in stolen bases.

While up with runners in scoring position this season, Chisholm Jr. has a slash line of .330/.434/.568 (29-for-88) with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 4HR, 39RBI, 16BB, 1HP and 1SF. Among qualified National League batters this season, his .434 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position ranks fifth and his 1.002 OPS ranks eighth.

Chisholm Jr. was a 2022 All-Star, as he hit .354 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI. For his career, he has hit .246 (362-for-1,471) with 66 HR, 205 RBI, 213 runs, 57 doubles, 15 triples, 125 BB, and 81 stolen bases in 403 career games over parts of five Major League seasons with Miami, from 2020 to this season. He has appeared defensively in his career in centerfield (190G/186GS), at second base (167G/156GS) and shortstop (46G/37GS).

The Nassau, Bahamas, native was originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a non-drafted free agent on July 5, 2015. Chisholm Jr. was acquired by Miami from Arizona in exchange for right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen on July 31, 2019. 

WHO THE YANKEES TRADED:

Agustín Ramírez, 22, appeared in 87 combined games with Double-A Somerset (58) and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (29) this season, as he had a slash line of .269/.358/.504, with 90 hits in 335 at-bats, with 20 home runs, 69 RBI, 60 runs, 17 doubles, 1 triple, 42 walks, and 18 stolen bases. Over five minor league seasons (2019, ’21-24), Ramírez has hit .267/.353/.466 (315-for-1,181) with 52 HR, 230RBI, 207 R, 75 doubles, 2 triples, 153BB and 44SB in 318 career games. The Santo Domingo, D.R., native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2018.

Jared Serna, 22, appeared in 88 games with High-A Hudson Valley this year, as he hit .253/.341/.444 (86-340) with 13 HR, 58 RBI 51 runs scored, 26 doubles, 40 BB and 11 SB. Over four minor league seasons (2021-24), has hit .267/.362/.446 (312-for-1,167) with 221R, 74 doubles, 6 triples, 41HR, 183RBI, 151BB and 81SB in 309 career games. The Guaymas, México, native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 15, 2019.

Abrahan Ramírez, 19, played in 49 games with the FCL Yankees this year, and he had a slash line of .348/.447/.513 (55-for-158) with 2 HR, 24 RBI, 32 R, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 29 BB and 6 SB. The left-handed hitter has combined to hit .333/.454/.467 (107-for-321) with 83R, 22 doubles, 6 triples, 3HR, 55RBI, 71BB and 24SB in 109 career minor league games over three seasons (2022-24). The Acarigua, Venezuela, native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on January 15, 2022.