Yankees Spring Training Notebook: Prospects Flash Potential, Jazz Chisholm’s Future Uncertain, and Roster Crunch Heats Up
Spring training is just around the corner, and the Yankees are already making noise. With 27 non-roster invitees added to the mix, the camp in Tampa is shaping up to be a fascinating blend of youth, experience, and roster intrigue. From high-upside prospects to veterans looking for one more shot, the Yankees are casting a wide net-and that’s before we even get to the Jazz Chisholm Jr. contract question or the latest roster shuffle involving Osvaldo Bido and Jorbit Vivas.
Let’s break down the key storylines as the Bronx Bombers gear up for what promises to be a pivotal spring.
Prospects, Vets, and Longshots: Yankees Invite 27 to Spring Training
The Yankees’ spring training roster now sits at 67 after the addition of 27 non-roster invitees, and the group tells us a lot about how the front office is thinking. There’s a clear strategy here: blend low-risk veterans with high-ceiling prospects and see who rises.
Among the veterans, Paul DeJong and Seth Brown stand out. DeJong still has that pop in his bat, but the consistency just hasn’t been there in recent years.
He’s more of a safety net than a solution at this point. Brown brings left-handed power and a track record of punishing righties, but his up-and-down production makes him more of a bench bat than a lineup staple.
Where things get really interesting is with the kids. George Lombard Jr. is one to watch.
The Yankees are high on his upside, and this spring will be a chance to see how his game translates against major league-level competition. He’s not expected to break camp with the big club, but a strong showing could fast-track his timeline.
Then there’s Carlos Lagrange, a power arm with a fastball that touches triple digits. He’s raw, but the stuff is real.
If he can harness it, the Yankees may have another bullpen weapon in the making. Ben Hess is another name to track-he’s got the kind of profile that could sneak into a bullpen role if things break right.
Bottom line: these invitees aren’t just filler. They’re part of a bigger plan to build depth, create competition, and maybe uncover a gem or two along the way.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Star Power Meets Contract Crossroads
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is coming off a 30-30 season that should’ve cemented his place as a cornerstone in the Bronx. Instead, he enters spring training with his future in pinstripes very much in question.
On paper, Chisholm is everything you want in a modern star: elite power-speed combo, flashy glove work at second base, and the kind of charisma that lights up a ballpark. But the Yankees have a history of treating second base as a revolving door, and with Chisholm entering a contract year, there’s growing chatter that this could be a one-year partnership.
Manager Aaron Boone’s recent comments didn’t exactly squash the speculation. While he praised Chisholm’s impact, the tone suggested a player still being evaluated, not an automatic extension candidate.
The numbers tell a complicated story. Chisholm barrels the ball up with the best of them, covers ground defensively, and wreaks havoc on the bases. But the swing-and-miss tendencies and a middling expected batting average raise questions about long-term consistency.
This feels like a classic Yankees dilemma: pay big to keep a dynamic, if volatile, talent-or let him walk and trust the next man up. If Chisholm repeats or even improves on his 2025, he could price himself out of the Yankees’ comfort zone.
If he struggles, the front office holds the leverage. Either way, the spotlight will be on him all spring.
Osvaldo Bido Claimed Off Waivers: A Quiet Move with Real Upside
In a move that flew under the radar, the Yankees added right-hander Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the A’s, designating Brendan Shewmake for assignment to make room. It’s the kind of low-risk, high-upside move the Yankees have made a habit of lately.
Bido’s 2025 wasn’t pretty, but his 2024 showed flashes of value. He’s got a mid-90s fastball, a deceptive release point, and a pitch mix that could play better with a few tweaks. The Yankees clearly believe there’s something to work with here.
One thing working against him: no minor league options. That means Bido either sticks on the big-league roster or hits waivers again. But his ability to start or relieve gives him a real shot to carve out a role, especially if the Yankees can help him lean into his strengths-like an improved sinker or a retooled slider.
It’s a classic Yankees bet: take a pitcher with tools, plug him into their development machine, and see if they can unlock something. Don’t be surprised if Bido becomes a name we hear more about as the season progresses.
Jorbit Vivas: Out of Options, Out of Time?
The Yankees’ infield depth has quietly become a roster puzzle, and Jorbit Vivas is right in the middle of it. With no minor league options left, the Yankees face a tough call: keep him on the Opening Day roster or risk losing him on waivers.
Vivas doesn’t bring much flash-he’s not going to wow you with power or speed-but what he does offer is elite plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills. His Triple-A numbers suggest a hitter who knows the strike zone and can grind out at-bats. That kind of profile has real value, especially off the bench.
But the roster math isn’t in his favor. Oswaldo Cabrera offers more versatility and switch-hitting ability, and his option status gives the Yankees more flexibility. Vivas, on the other hand, is a keep-him-or-lose-him proposition.
The decision may come down to how much the Yankees value Vivas’ skill set versus the risk of exposing him to waivers. If they believe in the bat, he could sneak onto the roster. If not, another team might get a look at a disciplined young infielder who’s ready for a shot.
Final Thoughts
Spring training hasn’t even started, but the Yankees are already deep into roster evaluations. Between the high-upside prospects, the contract-year drama around Jazz Chisholm Jr., and the roster crunch involving guys like Vivas and Bido, the next few weeks in Tampa are going to be anything but quiet.
This is a team with championship ambitions, but also one that knows the value of depth, flexibility, and development. The moves being made now may not grab headlines-but they could shape the season in a big way.