Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once said, “Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.” And truer words have never been spoken. Baseball is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. The pressure, the mind games, and the split-second decisions make it a sport that demands 100% sturdiness. But what if someone is thriving without giving their 100%? The Yankees may have just found that player. And guess what? Even Aaron Judge has taken notice.

Well, we are talking about Jazz Chisholm Jr, who’s not overthinking, not getting caught in the moment, yet delivering the clutch moments, time and again.

The Yankees captain Aaron Judge recently opened up about what’s driving Chisholm’s rise. And how the guy has become a clutch machine without leaning too heavily on the so-called orthodox side of the game.

“When you step out there in Yankee Stadium, the drill is going to be flowing. It’s just about slowing everything down and just taking a nice easy approach, nice easy swing, and that’s what I feel like I saw tonight,” Judge said.

Well, Judge was referring to the clutch hits by Chisholm in Friday night’s game against the Red Sox. Per the Yankees captain, Chisholm’s approach is seamless and he never overdoes things. Remember his response when asked to juggle between second and third base? The 27-year-old simply stated that he was there to hit, no matter the position.

So, how does Chisholm operate like that? It is because he doesn’t give his 100%. Yes, you heard that right. “Just go at 70 percent, that’s what’s been working for me,” he said when asked what works for him. Well!

Chisholm was batting at just .171 while going full throttle. But things changed after his coach, Pat Roessler, asked him to go easy and not press too hard. “Like my coach Six said at 70% you’re one of the best out there. At 100%, I might be dog cr-p,” he explained. The result? Chisholm has bumped his average up to .223 now. For him, it’s now all about staying in control of the game.

That’s what Aaron Judge reflected on as well, how Chisholm stays calm and easy at the crucial junctures of the game.

Well, Chisholm recently got his third multi-hit game in four outings since coming back from the injury. This includes his 3 hits and 1 HR in Friday’s 9-6 win over the Red Sox. A player offering such performance with his 70% is still a win for the team, isn’t he?

Chisholm is redefining the concept of a utility player

Jazz Chisholm’s approach is not just about going nice and easy, but it’s also about being flexible at any given time. Ask him to play at any position and he will deliver.

Remember when the Yankees traded Chisholm last summer? They weren’t just acquiring a flashy athlete with energy and edge. They were banking on his flexibility. The first challenge Chisholm faced was a position change.

While Gleyber Torres hesitated to shift from second to third, Chisholm embraced the move. With Torres now gone, Chisholm opened the season at second base, but injuries have once again pushed him to third.

This sort of flexibility is uncommon in today’s scenario. Especially when you consider the issue between the Red Sox and Rafael Devers.

Unlike Chisholm, Rafael Devers was entrenched at the hot corner for most parts of his career. He was moved to DH this season after Alex Bregman took over at third. But just when he was asked to take 1B, he refused and stood his ground.

So, in a game where roster flexibility is now a premium commodity, Chisholm’s willingness to move sets him apart. And his 70% approach? Well, while we are accustomed to his flair and flamboyance, Chisholm is redefining the concept of going at full throttle in baseball.