Despite losing MVP candidate Juan Soto over the winter, the Yankees’ offense ranks top three in nearly every key offensive statistic in 2025. New York even boasts its highest on-base and slugging percentage of the past five years.
But amid recent hitting woes, concerns have grown.
The Yankees mustered five runs across their past five games entering Tuesday night’s action and were shut out in consecutive games for the first time since Aug. of 2023. Here’s a look at how worrisome New York’s respective hitters’ struggles are for the rest of the campaign.
The Outfield
Cody Bellinger, acquired via trade in the offseason, has only four extra-base hits this month after compiling an OPS over .900 in May. The former National League MVP is hitting above .300 against lefties, but just .223 against righties — Bellinger hit nearly 50 points higher against right-handed pitching across the past two years.
Bellinger’s also hit only two home runs on the road and is batting almost 60 points lower away from home. His issues on the road and against right-handers are each concerning, especially since they’re both largely new this season.
Aaron Judge leads the majors in batting average and on-base percentage despite inferior numbers in June. The two-time American League MVP’s on-base percentage is still above .400 this month, though. Judge has endured cold spells throughout his 10-year tenure with the Yankees and should bounce back soon.
Jasson Domínguez is largely unknown, as this is his first campaign with over 20 games played. While the 22-year-old left fielder is batting only .169 against righties and hasn’t hit a home run in June, it’s vital to give him more at-bats before drawing conclusions.
Trent Grisham ranks second on New York with 13 home runs, though he hasn’t hit any in June. Grisham was one of baseball’s best center fielders with an OPS of 1.008 in April, but has regressed since. The former Padre didn’t hit above .200 in any of the past three seasons, so his recent problems at the plate are extremely worrisome.
The Infield
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is hitting a league-best .420 against southpaws after signing with the Yankees on a one-year deal. The 2022 National League MVP recorded only two extra-base hits in June, though, and is coming off his first campaign hitting below .260. The veteran’s struggles are relatively alarming considering he’s 37 years old.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is hitting .225, his worst mark of the past five seasons. The former Marlins splits are fascinating — he’s batting .125 on the road and above .300 at Yankee Stadium.
Chisholm Jr. has hit very well since returning from a high-grade right oblique strain that sidelined him for all of May. The second baseman hit better on the road than at home last year and should return closer to his typical splits soon.
Anthony Volpe batted around .250 in April, May, and June. The 24-year-old’s numbers against lefties are much improved this season, though he’s regressed against righties. Based on last year, those metrics seem likely to somewhat even out, leaving Volpe as a decent hitter in the middle of New York’s lineup.
Ben Rice got off to a fast start for the second straight season, but is hitting just .152 in June. His on-base percentage is also only .220 against lefties, making it tough to start him against southpaws. Considering Rice batted below .200 in both July and August of last season, his latest woes are especially worrying.
Austin Wells’ numbers are similar to last year. The 25-year-old belted 11 home runs — tied for third among catchers — and is hitting at his highest mark in June. While it seems unlikely he’ll be a high on-base percentage player, Wells is a solid power bat in New York’s lineup.
Overall, the Yankees’ offense has put together one of the majors’ most impressive first halves, even amid its recent shortcomings. With the trade deadline on July 31, the next month could largely determine how similar New York’s lineup looks throughout the rest of the season.
