Jazz Chisholm Jr. stands as one of many high place gamers obtainable in what might be a comparatively gentle marketplace for bats. Commerce chatter relating to Chisholm has picked up over the previous week. The Marlins solely added gasoline by shifting him again to second base over the weekend, seemingly an effort to show his defensive versatility for potential commerce companions with two weeks till the deadline.
A center infielder by commerce, Chisholm moved to middle discipline in 2023 in deference to Luis Arraez. Defensive metrics have been blended on Chisholm’s outfield efficiency. Defensive Runs Saved has him as a nicely below-average middle fielder, whereas Statcast has him as a impartial to strong outfielder. Each metrics have been fonder of his early work at second base than they’ve been on his middle discipline protection.
Even a pair weeks of reps again at second base may elevate groups’ confidence that Chisholm may play there down the stretch. The New York Submit’s Jon Heyman wrote final week that the Yankees have thought of Chisholm, presumably as an infield match. Bob Nightengale of USA Right this moment reported yesterday that the Royals — a staff brazenly searching for a participant who can bounce between the infield and outfield — have proven curiosity in Chisholm. Nightengale suggests the Mariners, one other membership that hasn’t made any secret of its want to improve the offense, can be within the combine.
Whereas there needs to be a broad vary of groups all for a participant with Chisholm’s defensive flexibility, Nightengale signifies the Phillies aren’t exhibiting a lot curiosity of their division rival. (The Athletic’s Jim Bowden had loosely linked Chisholm, amongst numerous different gamers, to Philadelphia final week.) The Phils are set within the center infield with Trea Turner and Bryson Stott. They’re on the lookout for outfield assist, though that might take the type of a right-handed platoon bat moderately than an on a regular basis participant.
Chisholm, a left-handed hitter, wouldn’t deal with Philadelphia’s want for extra steadiness within the outfield. He’d be a transparent offensive enchancment as an on a regular basis middle fielder on Johan Rojas. Rojas is a gifted defender, although, and the Phils won’t really feel that Chisholm’s a marked sufficient general improve to beat the presents put forth by different groups which are extra determined for hitting.
The 26-year-old Chisholm is having a second straight strong however not unimaginable season. He goes into the All-Star Break with a roughly common .249/.321/.407 slash line. Chisholm has hit 12 homers and stolen 18 bases (though he’s been thrown out eight instances). That’s much like final 12 months’s .250/.304/.457 exhibiting. A mean hitter with the flexibility to cowl a number of up-the-middle positions is actually a useful participant, but Chisholm hasn’t developed into the franchise constructing block he appeared throughout an All-Star first half in 2022.
Accidents have been an element. Most notably, a stress fracture in Chisholm’s again minimize brief that potential breakout 12 months in ’22. Toe and indirect points restricted him to 97 video games a 12 months in the past. He has prevented the injured listing up to now in 2024. The damage historical past has stored him from accumulating the form of counting stats that’d lead to important arbitration earnings. Chisholm is enjoying on a really inexpensive $2.625MM wage and gained’t attain free company till the 2026-27 offseason.
