New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham was not long ago considered the “other guy” in the Juan Soto trade.
When the Yankees snagged Grisham along with Soto from the Padres, Grisham was known for his elite defense (Gold Gloves in 2020 and 2022), but this season, the 28-year-old has emerged as a formidable slugger, smashing a career-high 25 home runs (entering Monday). Grisham’s previous career-best home run mark in a single season was 17 in 2022.
After Grisham hit two homers in Sunday’s victory over the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Yankees manager Aaron Boone reminded everyone of Grisham’s pedigree.
“This is a former first-round pick,” Boone said of Grisham, per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey. “Talented guy. Everyone’s trajectory is not like this (pointing up). It’s a hard game. Hitting in the big leagues is hard. You see countless examples of guys finding themselves, really figuring it out a little bit, especially offensively, as their career unfolds. He’s had success. He’s hit for some power. But, certainly, this is the best offensive season by a lot that he’s had.”
As Boone alluded to, Grisham’s journey hasn’t been linear. He was drafted No. 15 overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2015 MLB draft and immediately showed signs of cashing in on his potential.
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But inconsistency has plagued Grisham over the last few years, including his debut season with the Yankees in 2024.
Grisham hit just .190 with eight homers in 76 games for New York last season.
2025 has been an entirely different story. The Yankees are baseball’s home run leaders (215 entering Monday), and Grisham has been a key element of that effort.
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Grisham has become the player he was destined to be from the start, a dual-threat stud who combines Gold Glove defense with pop at the plate.
The production has come at just the right time for Grisham, who is set to hit free agency this offseason and demand a handsome contract.