Jazz Chisholm Jr. stands as one of many high place gamers obtainable in what could possibly be a comparatively mild marketplace for bats. Commerce chatter concerning Chisholm has picked up over the previous week. The Marlins solely added gas by shifting him again to second base over the weekend, seemingly an effort to exhibit 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 stable 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 increase groups’ confidence that Chisholm may play there down the stretch. The New York Publish’s Jon Heyman wrote final week that the Yankees have thought-about Chisholm, presumably as an infield match. Bob Nightengale of USA Immediately reported yesterday that the Royals — a crew brazenly looking 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 also be within the combine.
Whereas there must be a broad vary of groups excited by a participant with Chisholm’s defensive flexibility, Nightengale signifies the Phillies should not 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 quite than an on a regular basis participant.
Chisholm, a left-handed hitter, wouldn’t handle Philadelphia’s want for extra stability 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 provides put forth by different groups which might be extra determined for hitting.
The 26-year-old Chisholm is having a second straight stable however not unbelievable 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 occasions). That’s much like final yr’s .250/.304/.457 exhibiting. A median hitter with the flexibility to cowl a number of up-the-middle positions is actually a worthwhile 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 lower quick that potential breakout yr in ’22. Toe and indirect points restricted him to 97 video games a yr in the past. He has averted the injured listing up to now in 2024. The damage historical past has stored him from accumulating the sort of counting stats that’d end in important arbitration earnings. Chisholm is enjoying on a really reasonably priced $2.625MM wage and received’t attain free company till the 2026-27 offseason.
