You’ve probably seen the highlights. A flashy double play, a high-fives at the dugout, or maybe a frustrating error in the eighth inning of a tied game. When you talk about the second baseman for the Yankees, you’re not just talking about a position on a field. You’re talking about one of the most scrutinized spots in professional sports. Since Robinson Cano left for Seattle back in 2014, the Bronx has been a bit of a revolving door. Honestly, it’s been a headache for the front office.
Right now, as we head into the 2026 season, things are looking... interesting. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the name at the top of the list. He’s electric. He’s also a lightning rod for debate. Some fans love the flair. Others? Not so much. But if you’re trying to understand who actually holds the keys to the keystone right now, you have to look past the jersey sales and into the actual roster construction.
The Current State of the Yankees Second Base
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is currently the primary second baseman for the Yankees. Let’s be real: he wasn’t originally brought in for this. When the Yankees snagged him from the Marlins in 2024, they stuck him at third base. He hadn’t even played third before. It was a "figure it out on the fly" situation that actually worked better than most experts predicted. Now, with the 2026 roster solidifying, he’s shifted back to his more natural middle-infield roots.
But it’s not just a one-man show.
The depth chart is surprisingly crowded. You’ve got Amed Rosario, who signed a one-year deal for about $2.5 million. He’s a veteran. He’s steady. He’s basically the "break glass in case of emergency" guy. Then there’s Jorbit Vivas. He’s younger, under the radar, and currently wearing number 90. Most casual fans wouldn't recognize him at a grocery store, but the scouts are high on his bat-to-ball skills.
Why Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the Focus
Jazz is what people call a "toolsy" player. Basically, he can run like the wind and hit the ball a country mile when he connects. For a second baseman for the Yankees, that power-speed combo is rare. Most guys at second are contact hitters or defensive specialists. Jazz? He wants to be a superstar.
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Last season, his numbers were solid but streaky. We’re talking about a guy who can hit two home runs in a Tuesday afternoon game and then go 0-for-15 over a weekend series in Boston. It’s the inconsistency that drives the "Yankee Universe" crazy. Still, his 2025 projections had him hitting around 26 home runs and stealing over 30 bases. Those are All-Star numbers if he stays healthy.
The Gleyber Torres Ghost
You can’t talk about the current situation without mentioning Gleyber Torres. For years, he was the second baseman for the Yankees. He was the kid who was supposed to be the next Jeter (even though he played second).
Things got complicated.
Gleyber’s defense was always a talking point. Some days he looked like a Gold Glover; other days, a routine grounder felt like a coin flip. When he hit free agency, the Yankees decided to move on. Seeing him in a Detroit Tigers uniform (as he is now) is still weird for a lot of folks in the Bronx. His departure opened the door for this new era, but it also left a void of experience that the team is still trying to fill with guys like Chisholm and Rosario.
Who is Waiting in the Wings?
The Yankees' farm system is always a topic of conversation. If Jazz struggles or gets hurt—which, let's be honest, has happened before—who’s next?
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- Jorbit Vivas: As mentioned, he’s the high-contact lefty. In a stadium with a short right-field porch, a lefty who doesn't strike out is a weapon.
- Jose Caballero: He’s a pest. I mean that as a compliment. He works counts, steals bases, and gets under the skin of opposing pitchers. He’s on a one-year, $2 million deal and provides excellent utility depth.
- Oswaldo Cabrera: The ultimate Swiss Army knife. He can play anywhere, including second. Fans love him because he plays with a lot of heart, even if his offensive ceiling isn't as high as the others.
Honestly, the biggest wildcard might be the prospect Caleb Durbin. He’s been a darling of the analytics department because he almost never strikes out. In the modern game, that's like finding a unicorn. However, at the start of 2026, he's more of a depth piece than a projected starter.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Position
People think being a second baseman for the Yankees is just about hitting. It’s not. It’s about the double play turn with Anthony Volpe.
Volpe is the franchise shortstop. He’s the local kid. Whoever plays second base has to have a rhythm with him. That "middle-infield chemistry" is something you can't see in a box score. If the second baseman is a split-second slow on the pivot, it costs the pitcher an extra 15 pitches an inning. Over a 162-game season, that destroys a bullpen.
Jazz and Volpe are still working on that. They’re both young and incredibly athletic, but they play a high-octane style of baseball. Sometimes that leads to brilliant plays, and sometimes it leads to "what were they thinking?" moments.
The Financial Pressure
The Yankees' payroll is always a monster. When you have Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole making massive money, the "middle class" of the roster—like the second baseman for the Yankees—has to provide surplus value.
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The team is currently avoiding the massive, long-term contracts at second base that they gave to guys like Robinson Cano or even the extension they gave Gleyber. They’re looking for high-production, lower-cost options or guys like Jazz who are still in their prime years. It’s a gamble. If Jazz becomes a 30/30 player, it’s a genius move. If he hits .220 and spends two months on the IL, the front office will hear it from the fans.
What to Watch for This Season
If you're keeping an eye on the keystone this year, look at the strikeout rates. That's the tell. If Chisholm keeps his strikeouts under 25%, he’s going to be an MVP candidate. If they balloon, you might see more of Amed Rosario or even a trade-deadline move for a more consistent bat.
The Yankees are in a "World Series or bust" window. They don't have time for a second baseman to "find himself" for three months. The pressure in New York is different. It's louder. It's heavier.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the Yankees' progress this season, pay attention to these specific areas:
- Defensive Runs Saved (DRS): Watch how many times Jazz or his backup prevents a ball from reaching the outfield. In Yankee Stadium, where the grass is fast, this is huge.
- Left-on-Base Stats: The second baseman often hits in the bottom half or very top of the order. If they aren't moving runners over, the Judge/Santon power becomes less effective.
- The Volpe Connection: Watch the footwork on the double play. If it looks clunky in April, it's a red flag for the rest of the summer.
- Health Updates: Chisholm has a history of lower-body injuries. If his stolen base attempts drop, it’s usually a sign he’s playing through something.
Ultimately, the second baseman for the Yankees isn't just a player; he's a piece of a much larger puzzle. Whether it's the flair of Jazz or the veteran presence of Rosario, that spot on the dirt will likely determine how deep the Bronx Bombers go in October.
Check the daily lineups about two hours before first pitch. Manager Aaron Boone likes to play the matchups, so don't be surprised to see a lot of rotation between the three or four guys mentioned above. Consistency at the position has been rare for a decade, and 2026 looks to be another year of high-stakes experimentation.
Monitor the injury report for Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon as well, because when the pitching is thin, the defense at second base becomes ten times more important to keep the score down. It's going to be a wild ride in the Bronx.