New York Yankees Breakout Star is Suddenly Running Out of Time

Just how much longer can the New York Yankees wait on Trent Grisham to finally break through?

After a breakout campaign last season in which Grisham smashed 34 home runs while posting an .811 OPS, the 29-year-old's production has fallen off a cliff in 2026.

Or has he simply regressed to the mean?

Grisham is slashing .151/.298/.321 thus far this year, and while he has hit four homers to go along with 16 RBI, he has just 14 hits on the campaign in total, and there is only so much his ability to walk will continue to allow him a starting job.

Here's what's important to remember: Grisham batted under .200 in three consecutive seasons before 2025, so should we really be shocked that he is under the Mendoza line yet again?

Sure, .151 is abnormally low, but he batted .184, .198 and .190 between 2022 and 2024, respectively. He also owns a lifetime .215/.320/.397 slash line.

So perhaps the Grisham we saw last year was just a fluke?

The Yankees retained the Burleson, Tx. native on a $22 million qualifying offer over the winter, a move that had many fans aggravated. Now you can see why.

It's not just that Grisham isn't producing at the plate, either (and as the leadoff hitter, no less). He also isn't getting the job done in the outfield, where he won a pair of Gold Gloves during his time with the San Diego Padres.

Grisham's defensive decline the last few seasons has been significant, and while he hasn't been terrible in center field this year, he hasn't been good, either.

What can New York do here?

Well, at some point, the Yankees do have to consider making a change. You can't have your leadoff hitter batting under .200. Batting average certainly isn't everything, but it has a whole lot to do with your on-base percentage, and you want your table-setter getting on base.

Also, by this time last year, Grisham had already bashed eight long balls and owned a 1.009 OPS. He is certainly capable of a hot streak, but he seems far more likely to show New York who he really is: an average to below-average hitter who is no longer even an above-average fielder.

I've mentioned Spencer Jones countless times the last several months, and at this stage, the Yanks would be beyond remiss to not at least strongly consider it. Would Jones really give the Yankees less than what Grisham is currently providing?

New York will surely keep giving Grisham chances because of what he did last year ... and because it is paying him $22 million. But at some point, the Yankees will have to explore other options. That is, of course, if they are prioritizing winning a World Series as much as they say they are.

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