The New York Yankees sit atop the American League with a 25-11 record. Bolstered by a blend of potent offense and strong defense, the Bombers don’t seem to have any flaws or shortcomings. However, MLB.com writer Jason Catania found one that could become a problem down the stretch.
“It’s no secret that the Yankees are off to a great start at an AL-best 25-11 after winning their fifth straight game Tuesday night vs. the Rangers. What might be a bit of a secret, however, is that they’ve had such a positive early showing despite a noteworthy suboptimal number: .160. That’s the team’s batting average out of the leadoff spot so far, and it’s dead last in MLB. (Yes, really.) Yet in spite of that, the Bombers are scoring 5.53 runs.”
The Yankees boast an offense with four players with 20 or more runs batted in and a collective on-base percentage of .338. Yet the lack of a truly productive leadoff hitter could hurt them.
“The main culprit? Trent Grisham, who has been atop the lineup in 25 of 36 games to date and has hit .148/.306/.284 (13-for-88) in those instances. The 29-year-old lefty hitter is batting. 170 overall this year and owns a lifetime .216 average, even after a career campaign in 2025. Still, Grisham has maintained a reasonable pace (by comparison). 307 on-base percentage this year—just shy of his .320 career mark—thanks to 23 walks in 137 plate appearances.”
GettyYankees centerfielder Trent Grisham, during an April 29, 2026 game against the Texas Rangers.
Last year, Grisham slugged 34 home runs with a .348 on-base percentage. This season, a .170 overall average, while making 22 million dollars.
Will Walks Keep Grisham in the Leadoff Spot?
Catania asserts that Grisham stays in the leadoff spot because of his 23 walks. Normally, that would make sense. However, his 22 strikeouts negate that progress. Three other Yankees also boast at least 20 bases on balls. Also, Grisham does not steal bases, as his one stolen base attests. Grisham. Maybe a drop in order helps take off the pressure for a talent defensive outfielder.
Trent Grisham tracks down a deep fly ball pic.twitter.com/cv8qhxNkcW
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 5, 2026
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The Rice Solution Fits Team Needs
Despite not being a stolen base threat, first baseman Ben Rice could be the long-term solution to the problem. First, he leads the MLB in on-base percentage, .455. In front of Aaron Judge, setting the table could actually increase the run production. Granted, Rice does have 12 home runs to his credit. However, a .343 average, combined with power and on-base potential, makes the move a safe one.
Yankees teammates with 10+ home runs each in team’s first 29 games of a season:
2026 Aaron Judge, Ben Rice
1956 Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle https://t.co/jLu8EPTRWM— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 28, 2026
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Brutal Reality Hits Home for MLB
Without a leadoff hitter, the Yankees play the best team in the American League. They’ve allowed Grisham to struggle, and it hasn’t affected the team’s regular season. If the team were to make the move, when would manager Aaron Boone make the move?
On Friday, May 8, the Yankees embark on a nine-game road trip, which serves as the perfect chance to ease into a new leadoff spot. They will face the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets, three of the most disappointing teams. The Mets, despite an exorbitant payroll, cannot find a way to win games. Worse, they will probably not offer offensive resistance. As a result, mixing the lineup will not hurt their 1.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.
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