BOSTON — James Rowson says he enjoyed working with Jazz Chisholm Jr., whose personality he described as “electric” and who Rowson said simply wants to win.
Of course, Rowson — the Yankees’ hitting coach — was not going to publicly rip the club’s newest addition, but the positive review was better than the alternative for the club.
Rowson spent 2020-22 as Marlins bench coach, where he got to know Chisholm well.
The exciting then-infielder debuted in ’20, established himself as a major leaguer in ’21 and broke through in ’22, when he was an All-Star who posted an .860 OPS with 14 home runs and 12 steals in 60 games before a back injury ended his season.
But Chisholm is known as much for his controversies as his play. He warred with teammates in Miami, a battle between the young, brash player and Miguel Rojas — a veteran and the Marlins leader — becoming public even after Rojas was traded to the Dodgers.
On a podcast this past March, Chisholm alluded to Rojas in saying the Marlins had team leaders who “suck,” are “not a good person” and “you’re bringing down the young guys that are supposed to be good.”
There appeared to be a divide between the new-school, young Marlins and more staid, older Marlins. As for Chisholm himself, Rowson is looking forward to a now infielder/outfielder who was acquired Saturday for three minor leaguers.
“Electric,” Rowson said of his personality. “I like Jazz. I’ve spent a lot of time with Jazz, three years in Miami, so I’ve known him for a long time. I enjoy him. He’s a really talented dude.”
The Yankees could ask Chisholm, a lefty swinger who owns a .730 OPS with 22 steals this season, to play third base, unless they have other trade-deadline plans for second baseman Gleyber Torres.
The bat will help a lineup that has been a mess for six weeks.
“Super talented,” Rowson said before the Yankees played the Red Sox at Fenway Park. “You watch him and see what he can do on the field. This guy’s got many tools and his tools play in so many different ways. Anything that helps us, anything our group feels helps us, I’m in on.”
And he believes the Yankees’ clubhouse will be in on Chisholm, too.
This offseason the Yankees acquired Alex Verdugo and Marcus Stroman, who both arrived with reputations as strong personalities who had not fit into every clubhouse.
They have so far jelled well in a room led by Aaron Judge.
“Having been around this group so far this year, all this group wants to do is win,” Rowson said. “With Jazz, it’s always been about him wanting to win. So I think in terms of that, when you’re just trying to win, everything generally comes together.”