Will a Yankees Two-Time All-Star Reach His Goal of 50 Stolen Bases in 2026?
Before the start of the 2026 MLB season, New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. expressed his interest in joining Shohei Ohtani in the record books as the only two players to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases for the year. Last season, the two-time all-star ripped a career-high 31 home runs while stealing 31 bases. The year prior, Chisholm Jr. stole a career-high 40 bases. Currently, the 28-year-old has crushed 16 homers; the goal of hitting 50 at this point within the season is unrealistic. However, he does have 27 stolen bases on the year; the two-time all-star’s goal of reaching 50 is still possible, but Chisholm Jr. will need to pick up the pace.
After the Yankees concluded their three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York officially has 60 games left on the season. Chisholm Jr. needs another 23 stolen bases to reach his goal, but that could be easier said than done. The 28-year-old has played in 97 of the Yankees’ 102 games, so he has been viable and durable enough that he could reach 50 stolen bases. It’s even more important this late in the season that the two-time all-star continues to get on base and be a threat on the base paths. The Yankees have struggled to score runs without their three-time AL MVP, Aaron Judge, whose return for the 2026 season is still highly questionable. If Chisholm Jr. can continue to stay effective at the plate and get opportunities to blow past opponents' pitchers during his final 60-game stretch, there’s no doubt the 28-year-old could reach his goal.
Back in February, Chisholm Jr. said, “I just can’t help but get that gut feeling; it’s going to be an amazing year. Especially with Judge pushing me ever since I’ve gotten here, I feel like I’ve matured a lot in the game, just from watching him and his at-bats every day, watching the way he goes about it. That’s how I’m trying to go about it every day, and I feel like I have been this offseason. So that’s why I feel like my year is going to be so magical, because I’m following that guy.”
Half of the two-time all-star’s goal for the 2026 season could come to fruition. He needs to continue being a big bat for the Yankees and use his speed whenever it’s necessary. Chisholm Jr. has to stay durable, not fall into a dry spell, and continue to be a key piece for New York’s offense. 23 stolen bases in 60 games could happen; however, the 28-year-old needs to edge out every catcher he sees for the remainder of the season.
