Shohei Ohtani, you better watch out: Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm aims for 50 homers and 50 steals

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s luggage for spring training and the upcoming World Baseball Classic is unlike most others.

This Yankees infielder never leaves home without his portable studio, so the “Jazz Prince” can create music whenever inspiration strikes. He’s already been busy with this during spring training, but his ambitions go far beyond the music world.

That’s right, you may have heard: Chisholm’s goal isn’t just a 40-40 season. Shohei Ohtani, watch out—Chisholm believes he has the potential for a 50-50 season.

“I just can’t shake this feeling that this year is going to be special,” Chisholm said today. “Especially since I got here, J.A. has been pushing me hard. I feel like I’ve matured a lot by watching him every day—watching his at-bats and how he handles things.”

“I want to do that every day, and I think that’s how I spent this offseason. That’s why I feel this year will be incredible, because I’m following in his footsteps.”

Around this time last year, Chisholm created his own stat: HR+SB, combining home runs and stolen bases. He used this metric all season to challenge J.A., who narrowly edged him 65 to 62 in the end.

“He’s a true all-around athlete,” J.A. said. “He can change the course of a game with a single swing or even a defensive play.”

Losing to a three-time AL MVP is no shame. Chisholm still made history with 31 homers and 31 steals in a single season, becoming the third Yankee to join the 30-30 club after Bobby Bonds in 1975 and Alfonso Soriano in 2002 and 2003.

Chisholm believes that if he stays healthy, he could push for 40-40 or even more. He plans to cut down on strikeouts, increase walks, and thinks preparing early for the Classic representing Team Great Britain will help improve his plate discipline.

“I worked really hard during the offseason,” he said. “I did everything I was supposed to. I started hitting the gym earlier than usual. Plus, the new ABS challenge system will be introduced this season, and since I can hit homers, people might think I stand 6’3” in the batter’s box. I stand more upright, so this system will help me a lot.”

Off the field, this winter was eventful too. During a “magical” Christmas trip to Finland, Chisholm proposed to singer and influencer Analis Santiago and saw the Northern Lights for the first time.

Although his name was often linked to trade rumors all winter, Chisholm said he mostly ignored them and left business matters to his agent. This is his last year with salary arbitration rights; he will earn $10.2 million and can become a free agent after the season.

“Every year, I want to win MVP,” he said. “That hasn’t changed. Money and contracts don’t matter if you don’t get MVP. In my heart, I want to earn whatever I can, but without MVP, I won’t be satisfied.”

Although no contract extension talks have happened with the Yankees yet, Chisholm made it clear he wants to stay in the Bronx.

“The atmosphere in New York, the fans’ passion day after day—who wouldn’t want to spend the rest of their career in that environment?” he said. “You walk down the street and any passerby can tell you your stats. This city’s love for baseball matches my own.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he senses Chisholm’s “great mindset.”

“He’s extremely confident, and for good reason,” Boone said. “The key is if he can get on the field, do what he’s supposed to, and keep striving to improve in this game. By the end of the season, he’ll put himself in a very strong position.”

So when Chisholm boldly predicts he will win MVP, the Silver Slugger Award, and a World Series ring, Boone might smile but knows the best response isn’t to be skeptical.

“If he actually pulls it off, then we’re in great shape,” Boone said. “It’s hard to put a ceiling on him. He missed a month last year, didn’t run for two months, and still hit 30-30. So he definitely has the ability to do some extraordinary things on the field.”