Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. Deserves Silver Slugger
The New York Yankees have a litany of potential Silver Sluggers on their hands, and none more deserving than second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. According to a post on X, that social media platform previously known as Twitter, Chisholm is a finalist for the award along with utilityman Ben Rice and outfielders Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s 2025 Season
Chisholm is a great choice for the Silver Slugger. He slashed .242/ .332/ .481 for an OPS of .813 in 130 games this season, also whacking 31 homers. While those numbers, and where Chisholm ranks amongst AL second basemen, speak for themselves, Silver Slugger voting is about more than just stats.
Chisholm had a difficult start to the 2025 season. He sustained a right oblique strain in April, which lead to a month-long stint on the injured list. After a brief rehab assignment, Chisholm returned, but not to his usual position at second base.
Instead, the Yankees had him play third base and slotted DJ LeMahieu at second. While LeMahieu continued to struggle and Chisholm wasn't playing his best defense at third, he wasn't slowing down offensively. In fact, he only seemed to hit the gas, slamming a go-ahead home run in his first game back after injury. That gas would last all season, with Chisholm slamming five home runs in September to help bring the Yankees to the 2025 postseason.
No Other Second Baseman Compares
Chisholm doesn't own the top of every stat possible. While he's the best AL second baseman in terms of slugging percentage, the Houston Astros' Jose Altuve has him beat in batting average and Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres wins when comparing on-base percentage. Even in home runs, Chisholm is matched by the Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe.
However, none of those players are bringing the same consistently powerful hitting and bountiful energy to the game that Chisholm did this season.
Obviously, the Yankees have other deserving players, who are equally worthy of a Silver Slugger nomination and could very well win the award. Judge is the best player in the league, with a .331 batting average, .457 on-base percentage and .688 slugging percentage for an OPS of 1.145. He's in the running for his third AL MVP, and the competition isn't particularly close (yes, even with Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh's 60 regular season home runs).
Fortunately, the Yankees can have multiple Silver Sluggers in the same year, so Judge, Bellinger, Rice and Chisholm could all add the accolade to their list of accomplishments. However, Chisholm should be just as much a conversation as a superstar like Judge.
JJ McCarthy Makes Generous $2 Million Donation to Kalie Mapp Hayes' Free Art Therapy Program for Children in Logan
Michigan Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy has made a substantial $2 million donation to support 9-year-old Kalie Mapp Hayes’ incredible initiative, which provides free art therapy classes for children in the Logan neighborhood of Philadelphia. These classes, created by Hayes, allow children to process trauma and life challenges through creativity and art, offering a therapeutic outlet for those in need.
"I’m inspired by what Kalie is doing in Logan, and I’m honored to help her continue this amazing work," said McCarthy in a statement. "Art has the power to heal and empower, and Kalie’s efforts are making a real difference in the lives of these children. I’m proud to be a part of that."
Kalie Mapp Hayes, whose art therapy program has already touched the lives of many local children, expressed her gratitude for the donation, which will allow her to expand the program and offer more resources to those who need it. "I never imagined something like this could happen," Kalie said. "With this support, we can help even more kids find their voice through art."
The generous donation from McCarthy will go toward materials, instructors, and expanding the program to reach more children in the community, further solidifying the positive impact of Kalie’s work.
