Yankees’ Ben Rice Sends Jazz Chisholm Jr Message As Concerns Mount

After emerging as the best team in the American League to start the season, the New York Yankees are encountering some obstacles.

The team has fallen behind the surging Tampa Bay Rays in the division standings as their potent offensive suddenly goes quiet.

“In agonizing fashion, the Yankees (26-16) suffered their fourth straight loss — a stretch in which they have scored just eight runs, with their lineup held in check once again Monday after a quiet weekend in which they were swept by the (Milwaukee) Brewers,” Greg Joyce wrote for the New York Post after a recent loss to the rival Baltimore Orioles. “The Yankees went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. responsible for half of those empty at-bats on a night when he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.”

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As the Yankees search for some answers amid the drought, there are plenty of hitters who are underperforming. But Chisholm seems to be under special scrutiny, as he slashes just .201/.281/.322 following an All-Star campaign last year and with free agency looming at the end of this season.

“Of the 93 players with at least 160 plate appearances heading into Monday, Chisholm ranked 87^th with a .269 xwOBA. He also ranked 70^th with a 0.4 fWAR,” Gary Phillips noted for the New York Daily News. “In other words, the surface numbers and the eye test are matching the analytics in Chisholm’s case. It’s a less-than-ideal scenario for the 28-year-old, who is seeking a lucrative, long-term payday this winter.”

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Chisholm declined the opportunity to speak with reporters following Monday’s contest, but manager Aaron Boone defended him. As did arguably the Yankees best hitter so far this season, first baseman Ben Rice, who leads the team in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

“Obviously, he’s such a talented guy, and I always have the utmost faith in the world that he’s gonna do what we need him to, whether it’s offensively or defensively,” Rice said of Chisholm, per Phillips. “I know that just like last year, he’s gonna find his rhythm, and it’s gonna be really fun to watch when he does.”

Though the Yankees have stumbled into a bit of an offensive drought with some losses piling up as a result, it would be a bit premature to panic in the Bronx. But if Chisholm cannot start to reward Rice’s faith in him soon, it could start to cost him some money in his next contract.