As the New York Yankees stride into 2025, they are making history with back-to-back-to-back home runs—an impressive feat they have accomplished twice this month alone. This remarkable power display kicked off on March 29 when the Yankees took a commanding lead over Nestor Cortes, hitting three homers on three consecutive pitches. They followed this up on Tuesday night against Kyle Gibson of the Baltimore Orioles, starting the game with three homers in just five pitches, ultimately securing a dominant 15-3 victory.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed his astonishment at the team’s performance, stating, “I definitely haven’t seen anything like it. It’s hard to wrap your head around that.” The trio responsible for the stunning start against Gibson included Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, and Ben Rice. Earlier, on March 29 against Cortes, it was Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and again Judge who achieved the same feat.
In addition to their explosive start against Baltimore, Bellinger added another home run later in the first inning, contributing to only the second occurrence in Yankees history where they hit four home runs in the first inning, repeating the rarity from the game against Cortes. Rice also showcased his power by hitting another homer later in the game, reflecting his impressive transition this season as he fills in for the injured Giancarlo Stanton with a .278/.387/.611 slash line and eight home runs.
Trent Grisham has significantly improved this season, leading the team with a batting line of .294/.368/.662 and three leadoff home runs already, showcasing a striking contrast from his previous performance as a fourth outfielder. Acquired from the San Diego Padres during the Juan Soto trade, Grisham’s ability to elevate his game has made him an indispensable part of the Yankees’ lineup. His improved approach at the plate, characterized by a higher launch angle and more pulled balls, has allowed him to thrive in Yankee Stadium’s favorable hitting environment.
Beyond his offensive contributions, Grisham is also known for his exceptional defense, having won Gold Gloves in the past. This dual-threat capability makes him difficult to bench, especially with the Yankees juggling a wealth of talented outfielders. With players like Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez, and Goldschmidt also vying for playing time, the Yankees are equipped with a surplus of talent, which is a positive dilemma for the team.
Managing this roster’s depth will be crucial for Boone, but with the current form of Grisham and others, the Yankees are poised for an exciting season. Despite the challenges of lineup management, the team’s performance thus far inspires optimism as they work to convert talent into wins. Grisham emphasized the importance of mental preparation in his recent success, further indicating a bright outlook for both him and the Yankees moving forward.