As the New York Yankees gear up for Opening Day, there's a lot to be optimistic about. Their rotation is deeper than it's been in years, Aaron Judge remains a force to be reckoned with, and the lineup is shaping up to be one of the most intimidating in the American League. However, a quieter narrative is unfolding in Tampa, centered around Trent Grisham.
During a recent game against the Atlanta Braves, Grisham struck out twice in three at-bats. His spring stats are currently sitting at a disappointing .160/.250/.200. When your slugging percentage is lower than your on-base percentage, it's a red flag.
While it's not time to hit the panic button-spring training numbers can be misleading-the Yankees were hoping to see flashes of the Grisham who earned a $22 million qualifying offer. Instead, he's resembling more of the player he was before his breakout 2025 season.
Reflecting on Grisham’s 2025 Performance
It's important to remember just how impressive Grisham was in 2025. He made 406 plate appearances from the leadoff spot, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 43 RBIs from that position alone.
He finished the year with a career-high 34 home runs, far surpassing his previous best of 17. His .235/.348/.464 slash line, 129 wRC+, and .811 OPS were standout stats, with his elite chase rate placing him in the 99th percentile for plate discipline.
The Yankees extended the qualifying offer with full awareness that such production was an outlier, and Grisham accepted, understanding the gamble. Yankees GM Brian Cashman described it as a "true coin flip" back in November, noting that the $22 million seemed like a bargain given the market dynamics.
Grisham, now 29, is keen to replicate that success as he eyes free agency in 2027. The desire is there, but the results, at least this spring, have yet to follow.
Defensive Challenges Adding Complexity
Grisham’s spring struggles aren’t limited to his offense. He openly admitted that his defense faltered in 2025, ending with a career-worst minus-11 defensive runs saved, ranking him near the bottom among center fielders with over 1,000 innings. Determined to improve, Grisham stated, “I definitely wanted to get better and get back to how I was when I was younger.”
While defense can be coached, the swing decisions that haunted him in the postseason-where he hit .138/.219/.207 with a 31.3% strikeout rate-are more concerning. This troubling strikeout rate has persisted into spring training, raising alarms.
The Case for Ben Rice at Leadoff
The Yankees don’t need to wait for Grisham to find his form to address the leadoff spot. Ben Rice is making a compelling case with every at-bat.
In a detailed breakdown earlier this week, Rice's 2025 leadoff performance over 84 at-bats was highlighted: a .226/.363/.548 slash line with seven home runs and a .911 OPS. Ranking tied for seventh in hard-hit percentage at 56.1% and ninth in average exit velocity at 93.3 mph, Rice's stats are no fluke.
These are repeatable skills.
Drawing comparisons to Kyle Schwarber in Philadelphia, Rice doesn’t need to rely on singles and stolen bases to be effective. His ability to work counts, get on base, and punish mistakes makes him an ideal candidate for the leadoff spot.
Final Thoughts
Yankees fans shouldn’t be overly concerned about Trent Grisham. He’s expected to be in the lineup daily and contribute offensively. His 2025 track record is solid, and a slow March doesn’t negate that.
However, the leadoff position is a different discussion. Moving Rice to the top isn’t a demotion for Grisham but rather a strategic move by Aaron Boone to optimize the lineup. Grisham can still be impactful in the five or six spot, while Rice leading off before Judge elevates the offense’s potential.
The Yankees have a clear vision of their optimal lineup. Now, it’s about putting it into action.