Already heading to the Midsummer Classic, Jazz Chisholm Jr. would love to take on a bigger role when Atlanta hosts All-Star festivities next week.
The Yankees’ third second baseman told a couple of reporters that he would be open to participating in the Home Run Derby on July 14. However, he hasn’t received an invitation yet.
“I think I’d have some fun doing it,” Chisholm said. “I’d probably do it. They gotta ask me, though.”
Chisholm is not your prototypical power hitter, but he did enter Tuesday’s contest against the Mariners with 15 home runs this season. That put him in a tie for 39th place in the majors, but the infielder posted that total over just 59 games and 212 at-bats after missing about a month with an oblique strain.
More recently, Chisholm has been dealing with a sore shoulder, but he said it’s bothered him more in the field than at the plate.
With Chisholm voicing his interest in the derby, only five out of eight spots have been filled. As of Tuesday night, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Washington’s James Wood, Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. and Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz were the only official commits.
While Major League Baseball has yet to ask Chisholm about the derby — the league office added the colorful character to the American League All-Star roster — the left-handed swinger already knows who his pitcher will be if he’s invited. That would be Geron Sands, his stepdad and longtime mentor.
“He’s been coaching me from when I was a baby, so we’ve talked about it,” Chisholm said. “Like, ‘Yeah, you’re gonna be my Home Run Derby thrower when I get to the league.’”
Chisholm, reflecting on those memories, then added, “I used to hit bombs as a kid, bro.”
Perhaps he will as an adult in Atlanta next week, too.
