How Jazz Chisholm can make NY Yankees Home Run Derby record even more impressive

If you close your eyes and think about the ideal Home Run Derby participant, what do you see? Likely, you envision a prototypical slugger like former New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi. Or maybe you see mountainous athletic freaks like Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton.

What you don't often picture is a wiry, 5-foot-11, 184-pound middle infielder like Jazz Chisholm Jr., who will be representing the Yankees in Monday's display of power. Before you write off the electric lightning rod, understand this: Chisholm Jr. absolutely deserves his place amongst the field.

Despite missing time due to an oblique injury and now dealing with a sore shoulder, the Bahamian native has clocked 17 dingers so far this season, putting him on a 162-game pace of 44. Yes, he certainly belongs.

The Yankees hold the record for both the most Home Run Derby Winners and participants since the event's inception in 1985. Chisholm Jr. now has the opportunity to add to that prodigious list.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. can make the New York Yankees' Home Run Derby record even more impressive

Of course, the easiest way for Jazz to impress would be to take home the trophy. The last Yankee to do it was Aaron Judge back in 2017. But there's more than one way to skin a cat, and even with Chisholm's home run prowess, he's a clear underdog compared to the likes of MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh and others in the powerful field.

Participating in the Home Run Derby has long been a dream for Jazz, who does have some unorthodox experience in the contest, participating in the Don't Blink Home Run Derby back home in the Bahamas.

Now, instead of blasting balls into the pristine Caribbean sea, he'll be trying to pepper the stands in Atlanta. Back in 2022, he spoke openly about his desire to crush 500-foot bombs like Aaron Judge. Judge holds the record for the longest Derby home runs outside of Colorado's gravity-defying Coors Field with four 500-plus foot blasts, and he's the only player to top the 500-foot mark outside of the mile-high altitude.

Chisholm Jr. doesn't just hit cheapies either, with a 442-foot long ball on his resume this season during the season-opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers. It would certainly be a feat to see an average-sized human get up there and join the gigantic Judge in the 500-plus club.

But the most impressive thing that Chisholm Jr. could do would be to compete with Judge in volume. The Yankee right fielder has the record for most homers hit by a Yankee in the Derby with 47. That's an impressive number for sure, but the all-time record for homers in a single Derby belongs to Vlad Guerrero Jr. with an eye-popping 92, making Judge's mark look downright pedestrian.

The opportunity is there. Let's see what the electifying Yankees slugger does with it.