Yankees have hidden 40-40 player in two-time All-Star

The New York Yankees expected Jazz Chisholm Jr. to fill a significant hole in their lineup.

Chisholm was acquired from the Marlins ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, with a trio of prospects heading to Miami. He slotted in as the Yankees' third baseman down the stretch before taking over as the primary second baseman after Gleyber Torres departed in free agency.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has lived up to the hype with Yankees

Although Chisholm cost the Yankees a significant prospect, he has been exactly what they hoped for. Chisholm played in his 162nd game with the Yankees on Saturday and has posted a .254/.336/.495 batting line in 671 plate appearances, hitting 40 homers and 20 doubles while stealing 48 bases.

Chisholm has been particularly hot for the Yankees in September. He has posted a .325/.357/.550 batting line in 42 plate appearances, hitting three homers while stealing five bases. 

The Yankees entered Sunday in possession of the first wild-card spot, holding a 2.5 game lead over the Astros, Mariners and Red Sox. They also trailed the Blue Jays by three games in the American League East with a chance to make up ground over the next two weeks. The Yankees have three games against the Twins and White Sox and seven games against the Orioles to close out the season. The division and a potential first-round bye are still in play.

Outfielder Aaron Judge receives most of the attention in the Yankees lineup. His powerful bat can change the game in one swing. However, Chisholm has been valuable in the middle of the lineup with his well-rounded performance. His hidden 40-40 season over his first 162 games in New York shows how much he has meant to the Yankees' lineup as well.