Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Faces Persistent ’50 Degree’ Issue
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jazz Chisholm entered his walk year aiming to swing for the fences. Thirteen games into the season, he has six steals and no home runs. His average sits at .173 and his OPS at .482 after going 1-for-5 with a double in Saturday’s 5-4, 10-inning loss to Tampa Bay.
Chisholm had spoken publicly about chasing a big power-and-speed season. The plan to join a 50/50 club of 50 homers and 50 steals already looks unlikely. He remains a career .246 hitter but is searching for more consistent contact now.
Hitting mechanics and the persistent ’50-degree’ issue
Chisholm says his swings feel sound, yet the ball keeps launching at the wrong angle. He described an inability to stop hitting the ball about 50 degrees up. He is trying to get the launch angle lower while maintaining his swing plane.
He noted he still makes barrel contact. But the upward trajectory persists despite attempts to swing down or swing up. Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm faces a persistent ’50-degree’ issue that he and coaches must correct.
Saturday at Tropicana Field
In the game, Chisholm hit two hard fly balls early. The first registered an 87.1-mph exit velocity. The second carried a 100.9-mph exit velocity to center.
Later, with New York trailing, he hit a slow chopper to first base. Tropicana Field’s new artificial turf caused a high bounce over Jonathan Aranda’s head. The play turned into a double and was Chisholm’s lone hit in his last 12 at-bats over four games.
Club-wide slump and small signs of life
Manager Aaron Boone has seen similar issues across the lineup. Several regulars have struggled at the plate this month. The team believes better contact and patience will help.
| Player | Average | Home Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan McMahon | .097 | 0 |
| Trent Grisham | .146 | 0 |
| Jose Caballero | .156 | 0 |
| Austin Wells | .158 | 1 |
| Cody Bellinger | .240 | 1 |
| Aaron Judge | .212 | 3 |
Saturday offered some encouraging signs. Wells hit his first homer and recorded his first RBI. Jose Caballero drove in three runs across two late at-bats, including an eighth-inning double and a 10th-inning single.
Ryan McMahon collected his first hit in a week, getting a single in his first at-bat. Boone praised improved at-bats and crisper contact, while expressing hope the offense will gain traction.
Outlook
Chisholm remains optimistic despite the early skid. He said he expects results to come with adjustments. The Yankees hope mechanical fixes translate into better outcomes soon.
Report by Filmogaz.com.
