Jazz Chisholm Jr. had never played third base as a pro until the Yankees acquired him from the Marlins, but the former second baseman and shortstop has looked smooth at the position so far.
Entering Saturday’s doubleheader against the Rangers, Chisholm had yet to make an error at the hot corner. On top of that, the 26-year-old is enjoying his new position.
“I feel pretty good at third base. The more games I play, the more comfortable I get over there,” Chisholm said earlier this week. “When I’m on the dirt, I feel like it’s me again. That’s myself. I feel like I can go out there and just play my game, have fun, enjoy it. Feel like third base is just like shortstop to me.”
A few metrics have also supported Chisholm’s move to third base, as he had two defensive runs saved and two outs above average over his first 85 innings at the position, according to Fangraphs.
However, the Yankees say that they’re not necessarily putting too much stock in advanced numbers with Chisholm’s sample of work still so small.
“Metrics are there because they’re very good at evaluating how players do,” infield coach Travis Chapman, who has been working with Chisholm, told the Daily News. “Over time, they tend to stabilize. Thus far though, they’ve been very good, and the eye test says that as well.”
Chapman noted that the Yankees have their own internal metrics that they use to evaluate players, but Aaron Boone said that observing Chisholm up close is more important at this stage of his development as a third baseman.
“Initially you’re going on the eye test, but you can always quantify after a game if you make a play, what percent of the time are guys making that,” said the manager, a former third baseman himself. “So you can look at that to confirm things, certainly better than you ever could. But I think you’re watching. You’re watching and seeing how he moves, seeing how he handles it. So I would say it’s more eye test.”
Boone has been impressed — and surprised — by what he’s seen so far.
Earlier this week, he said, “If you didn’t know better, the way I put it, he looks like one of the best defenders in the league over there.”
Boone added that he’s been pleased with Chisholm’s calmness and internal clock.
Chapman agreed, saying that Chisholm has shown good instincts and an ability to get rid of the ball quickly. Chapman also praised his footwork and arm strength, though he mentioned that the former is still a work in progress.
While Chisholm’s transition has gone well so far, Boone has cautioned that “growing pains” should still be expected. Chapman also made that point, as Chisholm’s experience is still incredibly limited at third.
“The reality is he’s still very young,” Chapman said, “and to transition to a new position, there’s potentially some bumps in the road coming.”
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