NEW YORK -- Jazz Chisholm Jr. said he had a few fashion-forward fits in mind for the All-Star Red Carpet Show, promising his entrance would be memorable.
It appears the Yankees infielder is planning to put on a show of a different kind, too.
Chisholm has agreed to swing for the fences in the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, to be held on July 14 at Atlanta’s Truist Park, as announced by Major League Baseball on Thursday.
In addition to Chisholm, the Derby field includes Cal Raleigh (Mariners), James Wood (Nationals), Byron Buxton (Twins), Oneil Cruz (Pirates), Junior Caminero (Rays), Brent Rooker (Athletics) and Matt Olson (Braves), who is replacing teammate Ronald Acuña Jr.
Chisholm found out from Major League Baseball via FaceTime that he would participate in the Derby. He said his stepfather, Geron Sands, will throw to him when he is taking swings at the plate.
“I’m pretty excited. It’s pretty cool to have my stepdad throw to me. We are going to have a lot of fun,” Chisholm said.
Chisholm said he is not going to ask former competitors for advice on how to win the Derby. He simply wants to have fun.
“I’m not trying to think that hard about it,” Chisholm said. “I’m not even going to practice for it. The only person that needs practice is my stepdad. For me, I’ll just go out there, have fun, work 70 percent, don’t do too much, just hit a couple of home runs. Hopefully, I’ll win it by doing that.”
Chisholm is no stranger to home run derbies. During the offseason, he has participated in the Don't Blink Home Run Derby in the Bahamas, where Chisholm calls home.
“I’m in a home run derby when I’m not swinging yet. I’m just enjoying it. I’m not even thinking about it,” Chisholm said. “Sometimes, we have only 10 swings because the light is going down. I was nine out of 10 the last time, but Bo Bichette hit 10 out of 10, so I really can’t do anything with that.”
Chisholm, 27, will become the first Yankee to participate in a Home Run Derby since 2017. Aaron Judge won that one with a memorable performance in Miami.
Judge has said he will only compete again if and when an All-Star Game held is at Yankee Stadium; the Bronx hasn't hosted the event since 2008, the closing year of the original House that Ruth Built.
This year marks the second All-Star selection for Chisholm, who was announced to the American League squad on Sunday.
Playing his first full season with the Yankees, Chisholm has slashed .251/.345/.525 with 10 doubles, 17 home runs, 43 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 62 games.
In 32 games since being activated from the injured list on June 3, Chisholm is slashing .314/.383/.627 (37-for-118) with 21 runs, seven doubles, 10 homers, 26 RBIs, 14 walks and four stolen bases.
“You work hard, and to get the recognition, it’s amazing,” Chisholm said. “It got harder [to make the All-Star team] once I got hurt, but I came back and got hot. I think I worked hard for it and earned it.”