EXCLUSIVE: Jazz Chisholm Jr. Talks about Trade to Yankees, Injury, and more

Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. soaked in the environment sitting in the stands with the kids from Team Bahamas at the Little League Classic at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on August 18. Chisholm was born in Nassau, Bahamas, so that interaction really means a lot to those Little League kids who share his ethnicity. 

Chisholm Jr. leading roll call with the kids was priceless as they chanted for Juan Soto and Aaron Judge from the stands as part of the 2,532 people that were packed into the stadium. Chisholm Jr. can relate to these kids because he also played Little League in the Bahamas and won a 12U tournament in the Cal Ripken Little League World Series. 

Chisholm Jr. made the most of his experience despite being on the 10-day IL with a left elbow sprain on August 13.

The left-handed Chisholm Jr., 26,  was on a tear with the Yankees and has seven home runs, 11 RBI, five stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.063 in 57 at-bats. Chisholm was traded from the Miami Marlins for three Yankees prospects, catcher Agustin Ramirez and infielders Jared Serna and Abraham Ramirez.

Chisholm Jr. went through the players to Howard J Lamade Stadium and outside Volunteer Stadium in Williamsport earlier in the day. He stopped to sign for almost every kid, including someone who threw an inflatable ball at him.

Chisholm Jr. was fielding ground balls before the game against the Detroit Tigers, and he looked like his usual self, but it’s unknown if he has swung a bat since his injury. The weather caused the players not to take batting practice before the Little League Classic on Sunday night. Chisholm Jr. feels like his stint on the IL will be short and that he’ll be back on the field sooner rather than later.

“I should be back next week. I’m super excited,” Chisholm Jr. told World Baseball Network.

Chisholm Jr. also reflected on the trade from the Marlins to the Yankees and expressed his reaction to first hearing the news on July 27.

“I was super happy to go to a winning team. You got a potential MVP on the team, a possible MVP runner-up, and a Cy Young Award winner,” Chisholm told World Baseball Network. “I am grateful to join a team with players like Judge, Soto, Cole, and Rodon. I mean, I could go on forever with the lineup.”

Chisholm Jr. also discussed how Giancarlo Stanton was an MVP winner and DJ LeMaheiu was a two-time batting champion. Chisholm enjoyed every moment of putting on the pinstripes, even though he had to learn the position of the third base on the fly.

The Yankees offense can’t have Chisholm Jr. back soon enough. They scored only two runs in a 10-inning loss yesterday and five in the last three games against the Tigers.

His 2024 numbers with the Marlins and Yankees are 20 home runs, 61 RBI, 27 stolen bases, and a slash line of .257/.328/.445 in 443 at-bats this season. Chisholm has already set career highs in home runs, RBI, and stolen bases. Chisholm Jr. was an All-Star in 2022 and spent five seasons with the Marlins from 2019-2024.

Chisholm Jr. signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an International Free Agent out of the Bahamas in 2015 for $200 thousand. He was traded to the Marlins for starting pitcher Zac Gallen in 2019.

Chisholm Jr. founded the Jazz Chisholm Foundation in 2023, which had been in the works since 2021. The foundation focuses on helping athletes and their families have safe shelter and the means to compete in the Bahamas and Florida’s high-need communities.

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Photo Credit: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees walks off the plane during the 2024 MLB Little League Classic. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)