The New York Yankees are currently grappling with a significant challenge concerning the utilization of Trent Grisham. His present assignments as the primary leadoff hitter and center fielder are under scrutiny, with strong arguments suggesting these roles no longer align with his current capabilities. The front office's decision to place him in these positions, especially after his atypical offensive surge in 2025, has become a focal point of discussion as his athletic performance appears to have declined.
Following a standout offensive season in 2025, Grisham accepted a $22 million qualifying offer from the Yankees. However, with established outfielders Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge already securing corner spots, Grisham was relegated to center field, despite internal knowledge of his athletic decline. This move, coupled with the team's failure to acquire a natural leadoff hitter, has placed Grisham in a precarious position, akin to a 'Kyle Schwarber-like' scenario, where the team's primary hope rests on an early home run. The current iteration of Grisham, characterized by subpar defense and an uninspiring offensive presence at the top of the batting order, poses a considerable dilemma for the team.
The Yankees' struggle to solidify their leadoff position has been ongoing for nearly five years, and Grisham's recent performance has not alleviated this concern. His 2025 season, which saw career-high offensive numbers, now appears to be an outlier when viewed against his historical statistics. Between 2019 and 2024, his per-162-game averages were 18 home runs with a .213 batting average. His current 2026 season mirrors these numbers, with a .222 average and 15 home runs. Despite this, the Yankees continue to bat him first in most games, inadvertently creating a self-imposed limitation.
In the 70 games Grisham has led off this year, he has recorded a hit in only six, managing a mere .101 batting average and a .220 on-base percentage. These figures are deemed unacceptable for a leadoff hitter whose primary responsibility is to set the stage for subsequent sluggers. With Grisham making the first out in 53 of 68 games, his effectiveness in this role is significantly hampered. When batting in other positions, he still maintains a .200 average. Manager Aaron Boone might consider shifting Grisham to the middle of the batting order; his 41 plate appearances batting fifth have yielded a .314 average, a small but potentially impactful sample size that could ignite the struggling offense and justify the $22 million investment if he can rediscover his 2025 form. The team's concerns extend beyond his batting, as his defense in center field has become increasingly problematic.
Grisham, once a two-time Gold Glove winner, has visibly lost the defensive prowess that once defined his career. The quintessential qualities of a stellar center fielder—speed, a powerful throwing arm, and exceptional defensive range—are no longer evident in his play. What was once a weekly showcase of highlight-reel catches has unfortunately devolved into a defensive vulnerability. His performance is a significant contributor to the Yankees' defensive struggles, as evidenced by his league-worst defensive metrics, including -5 Outs Above Average and -3 Fielding Run Value, alongside a dismal -7 Defensive Runs Saved. His current defensive style is perceived as sluggish and inefficient.
A primary factor in Grisham's defensive decline is the notable regression in his speed. Five seasons ago, he boasted a Sprint Speed in the 91st percentile, a figure that has now plummeted to the 30th percentile, making him the slowest center fielder in the league. This puts him on par with first baseman Nick Kurtz in terms of sprint speed, highlighting the absurdity of having him cover center field. The Yankees, however, cling to the outdated notion of Grisham as a Gold Glove center fielder, despite clear evidence that he is no longer living up to that reputation. His current play is directly contributing to unnecessary runs for the opposition, a critical issue given the team's current injury woes.
Grisham's defensive shortcomings were glaringly apparent during the Yankees' recent homestand. Balls hit both over his head and in front of him, which should have been routine catches, were missed, leading to avoidable runs and putting the team in deficits. A prime example occurred during the St. Louis Cardinals series, where his failure to catch a triple with a 95% catch probability contributed to a seven-run inning that erased a Yankees' seven-run comeback. Later in the same series, a similar misjudgment on a fly ball resulted in go-ahead runs for the Cardinals. Against the Atlanta Braves, a ball with a 75% catch probability, usually a simple play for an average center fielder, was missed due to his diminished speed. The nadir of his defensive struggles was reached against the Seattle Mariners, when a bloop to center field with a 99% catch probability fell between him and shortstop George Lombard Jr., resulting in a double. While no run scored on that particular play, these repeated incidents within a single homestand strongly suggest a need to relocate him to either right or left field.
While a recent hamstring injury might be a contributing factor, the Yankees are fully aware of the data confirming Grisham's unsuitability for center field. Each game reinforces that he is not the natural fit the organization believes him to be. Fortunately, a clear solution is available within the team.
The fundamental principles of baseball dictate that a team's center fielder should possess superior speed. Yet, the Yankees' current strategy places their fastest outfielder in the corner positions. Spencer Jones presents himself as the logical choice for the full-time center fielder role, particularly while other players recover from injuries. Jones is not only the fastest outfielder but also the fastest player on the entire team, with a sprint speed of 29.2 feet per second, placing him in the 93rd percentile. This speed advantage could effectively minimize extra bases on balls that Grisham struggles to cover, especially those hit over his head or in front of him.
Jones's qualifications for center field are further bolstered by his extensive experience in the minor leagues, where he has accumulated nearly 3,000 innings at the position. While Jones is well-equipped to step into this role, Grisham has not played left or right field since 2019. His last stint in right field ended infamously during a National League Wild Card game, where a ball slipped under his glove, allowing the winning runs to score and ending the Brewers' season. Curiously, the Yankees never experimented with Grisham in left or right field during his backup role in 2024. While Grisham is accountable for his defensive errors, the Yankees' front office shares responsibility for this predicament. The team's reluctance to explore new strategies and their persistent adherence to a failing approach are perplexing. The Yankees have created this situation and now face the imperative task of rectifying it.
