The Yankees will have a key “decision” to make regarding Trent Grisham once their ailing sluggers return to the fold.
With Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Belinger expected to return, it could impact Trent Grisham’s playing time, or at least whether manager Aaron Boone pinch hits for him late in games.
“Trent Grisham, he understands that with Giancarlo Stanton, with Aaron Judge and also Cody Bellinger coming back, something might have to give against left-handed pitching,” ESPN’s Eduardo Perez said during the Yankees’ 10-5 win over the Seattle Mariners Wednesday night.
He added: “The Yankees know they have to make a decision once they get their team back healthy. Who do you play? Do you play Grisham against left-handed pitching or do you pinch hit late for Grisham in games like this knowing you have a veteran bench in Amed Rosario [and] Goldie [Paul Goldschmidt].” Both Rosario and Goldschmidt are right-handed hitters.
Grisham smashed two homers and a double in Wednesday’s win as the slumbering Yankees’ offense came alive. He’s now batting .222 with 15 homers and 50 RBI this season with a .732 OPS.
He has actually had more success this season against lefties (.250 BA, .747 OPS) than he has against righties (.211, .726).
Defensively, he did allow a second-inning pop-up to drop in front of him while deferring to shortstop George Lombard Jr., but Boone believes Grisham is still his best option defensively in center.
“Feel like that’s the best way to go,” Boone told reporters Tuesday.
“Just really experienced at the position,” Boone said of Grisham, an eight-year veteran. “Generally speaking, routes, ball security, just the nuances of the position, he’s very good at.”
Once the sluggers return, Boone will have a much deeper bench to work with and could also have a glut of DHs with Stanton, Rice and perhaps Judge, but Grisham figures to remain in center field most of the time.
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He could also opt to pinch hit for Grisham late in games and then potentially put Spencer Jones or Bellinger in center.
But for now, Grisham has certainly helped himself with his offensive surge.
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