Trent Grisham’s Disappearance from Clutch Performances Raises Major Yankees Concerns

At-Bat Struggles: Trent Grisham’s Playoff Performance Under Scrutiny

Challenges Amidst Postseason Pressure

Trent Grisham is enduring a tough playoff run that mirrors the challenges faced by the entire Yankees lineup. Entering a critical Game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS), Grisham’s postseason statistics tell a challenging story: he’s hitting 3-for-20 in the 2025 playoffs with eight strikeouts. Over his career in the playoffs, Grisham’s batting average is .165, with 36 strikeouts and a .577 OPS from 24 games. Despite this, manager Aaron Boone continues to support his center fielder, attributing these struggles to “the nature of the playoffs” and the small sample size.

Boone’s Confidence in Grisham’s Potential

Boone maintains trust in Grisham’s ability and approach, pointing out past performances that showcase his aptitude. The wild-card series against the Mets in 2022 was highlighted as a strong showing for Grisham, batting .500 with three homers that postseason. However, his performance dipped in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), where he went 3-for-39 (.077) with 17 strikeouts in 10 games since that series began against the Phillies.

The Yankees’ Season and Grisham’s Highlight

In the 2025 season, Grisham emerged as a significant contributor to the Yankees’ offense, achieving career highs in homers (34), OPS (.811), RBIs (74), and walks (82). Having transitioned from a fourth outfielder position in 2024 to a regular player, Grisham became known as “Big Sleep,” delivering in pivotal moments, including two grand slams—one against the Astros in September and another in the ninth inning against the Braves in July.

Upcoming Free Agency and Managerial Faith

Despite recent difficulties, including four strikeouts in Game 1 of the wild-card series and three in Game 2 of the ALDS against formidable pitchers like Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox and Trey Yesavage of the Blue Jays, Boone remains steadfast in his belief. Grisham’s only postseason extra-base hit occurred in the seventh inning of Game 2 against Boston, leaving both the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman with decisions to consider as free agency looms for Grisham.

Boone emphasized Grisham’s mental toughness and his potential to excel in critical situations. “He’s going to not get overwhelmed by a situation,” Boone stated. “He’s going to throw a good at-bat on you. He’s going to have the ability every time he walks up there to get on base and the threat of leaving the ballpark.”