Tranquilo Trent Grisham Steps Up: The Yankees' Player of the Week
Tranquilo Trent Grisham Steps Up: The Yankees' Player of the Week
Few challenges in baseball test a player’s mental toughness more than riding the bench, then suddenly being called on to perform at a high level without missing a beat. Enter "Tranquilo" Trent Grisham - Tranquilo is Spanish for calm.
Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove center fielder, arrived in the Bronx as part of the blockbuster deal that brought Juan Soto to the Yankees. While his name didn’t dominate headlines, the Yankees saw him as a valuable piece on the depth chart - a steady fourth outfielder capable of giving Aaron Judge the occasional break in center field and providing late-game defense.
Photo Credit: Major League Baseball
From Depth Piece to Clutch Contributor
Grisham’s first season in pinstripes didn’t impress - he slashed .190/.290/.385 with 9 home runs and 31 RBIs. But there was a turning point on June 9, 2024, at Yankee Stadium. With the Yankees trailing and chants of "We want Soto" echoing through the stands (Soto was unavailable due to injury) Grisham stepped to the plate in the sixth inning. Facing the pressure from fans, he delivered a go-ahead three-run homer that helped lift the Yankees to a 6-4 win over the Dodgers. While it didn’t rewrite his season, the moment resonated with fans and showcased Grisham’s resilience under pressure.
2025 Hot Start: Grisham’s Quiet Rise
At the start of the 2025 Yankees season, Grisham found himself back in a familiar spot: penciled in as the fourth outfielder and with at-bats coming sparingly, Grisham has been making each one count.
From March 31 to April 6, Grisham led the team in production, posting a 0.6 WAR, hitting 3 home runs, and driving in 9 RBIs - leading the Yankees in all 3 categories. For his timely production last week, resilience and quiet leadership, Grisham earns the honor of being The Bambino Report’s very first Player of the Week.
Fans might not have had Grisham circled on their scorecards, but his poise under pressure is starting to win over the Bronx faithful.
What Is WAR - And Why Does It Matter?
WAR, or Wins Above Replacement, is a big-picture stat that answers one simple question:
“How much better is this player than a backup or average player you could grab off the bench or from the minors?”
Let’s say Aaron Judge has a WAR of 6. That means he helped the Yankees win six more games than they would have if they’d used an average replacement instead. It’s like saying:
“Aaron Judge was worth six extra wins all by himself.”
WAR helps compare players across positions and teams - whether you're breaking down Trent Grisham highlights, Judge’s MVP pace, or a pitcher’s impact.
Quick WAR Cheat Sheet: Season Totals
0 – Just average
2–3 – Pretty good
4–5 – All-Star level
6+ – One of the best in baseball
For more on how WAR is calculated, check out FanGraphs’ WAR Glossary or Baseball Savants WAR Explanation