While Jazz Chisholm Jr. wowed at the 2025 Home Run Derby, the Yankees claimed Rico Garcia from the Mets. See how these moves set up their second half.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Bronx Bombers may be on their midsummer siesta, but the fireworks didn't stop on Tuesday. All eyes were on Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. as he stepped into the box for the 2025 Home Run Derby, providing a jolt of pinstriped energy during an otherwise quiet All-Star break.
Yankees prospect Ben Rice is hitting .283/.400/.576 with 15 homers in 52 games.
Representing the Yankees on the national stage, Jazz Chisholm Jr. put his raw power on full display. While his run ended in the first round, he launched three impressive home runs, electrifying the crowd and lighting up social media. The performance was a fun reminder of the dynamic energy he brings to the lineup and a perfect highlight for fans starved for action during the break.
While Jazz was swinging for the fences, the front office was working the phones. The Yankees made a subtle but potentially savvy move, claiming right-handed pitcher Rico Garcia off waivers from the crosstown rival Mets. The 31-year-old has been effective in a small big-league sample size this year, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings. Primarily a Triple-A arm with a 4.45 ERA in Syracuse, Garcia represents low-risk bullpen depth—exactly the kind of under-the-radar acquisition the Yankees love to make as they gear up for the grueling second half.
The real power surge on Tuesday wasn't just in the Derby. Down on the farm, the next wave of Yankees talent is making a serious racket. Catcher Agustin Ramirez continues to lead the Eastern League in home runs, while outfield powerhouse Spencer Jones and shortstop Roderick Arias are consistently showcasing their high ceilings. Perhaps most impressively, Ben Rice is tearing the cover off the ball, hitting a blistering .283/.400/.576 with 15 homers in just 52 games. These performances aren't just exciting for the future; they give the front office incredible flexibility as the trade deadline approaches.
With the All-Star festivities winding down, the focus now shifts squarely to the second half. The brief break has offered a glimpse of everything that makes this organization tick: star power on the big stage, shrewd front-office maneuvering, and a farm system bursting with potential. The quiet is almost over, and the push for October is about to begin.
