Key Takeaways
- The Yankees sit at 32‑22, second in the AL East, 3½ games behind the Rays after one‑third of the season.
- Starting rotation: Gerrit Cole off to a strong start (A), Max Fried sidelined with elbow bruise (A‑), Luis Gil struggling (F), Brent Headrick and Tim Hill providing reliable relief (A/A).
- Bullpen highlights: Fernando Cruz (B+), Jake Bird (D+), Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough (B each), Camilo Doval slipping (D), Cam Schlittler excelling (A+).
- Catching: JC Escarra getting more play (C), Austin Wells still deficient offensively (D+).
- Infield: José Caballero emerging as a defensive spark (B+), Jazz Chisholm trending up (C‑), Paul Goldschmidt solid but reduced role (B), Ben Rice breaking out (A+), Ryan McMahon struggling (F), Anthony Volpe unable to unseat Caballero (C).
- Outfield: Aaron Judge maintaining elite OPS (A), Cody Bellinger living up to contract (A), Jasson Domínguez injured after a strong start (B), Trent Grisham underperforming (D+), Spencer Jones off to a rough start (D), Giancarlo Stanton limited by injury (C).
With a 32‑22 record after the Memorial Day weekend, the New York Yankees have completed roughly one‑third of the 2025 regular season and sit second in the American League East, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by 3½ games. The club’s performance has been a mix of promising individual outings and lingering concerns, prompting a mid‑season report card that grades each player on their contributions so far.
Pitching staff
Gerrit Cole opened the season with six scoreless innings, flashing his former velocity (98.6 mph) and earning an A. Max Fried, before a left‑elbow bone bruise shelved him, posted a 4‑3 record and a 3.21 ERA, meriting an A‑. Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, has regressed sharply—failed to make the Opening Day roster, lasted only four starts before a shoulder shutdown, and lands an F. In contrast, Brent Headrick (A) and Tim Hill (A) have become trusted late‑inning arms, each logging numerous appearances with sub‑2.50 ERAs. The long‑man duo of Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough (both B) have simply eaten innings as needed, while Fernando Cruz (B+) remains a dependable splitter‑heavy stopper. Jake Bird (D+) shows electric stuff but continues to battle command, and Camilo Doval (D) has lost the strikeout ability that once made him a Giants closer. Cam Schlittler (A+) stands out with a 1.50 ERA over 11 starts, his four‑seamer/cutter/sinker combo dominating hitters and raising the question of whether he could evolve into a true ace alongside Cole and Fried.
Catching
JC Escarra has seen increased playing time as Austin Wells continues to struggle at the plate; Escarra’s three‑hit Monday performance earned him a C. Wells, despite being one of the game’s best pitch framers, has not produced offensively since last year’s All‑Star break, drawing a D+ grade. His walk rate remains solid (14.7 %), but his overall advanced metrics indicate a weak link in the lineup.
Infield
José Caballero has turned heads with his defensive versatility and timely hitting, earning a B+ and dissuading the Yankees from reverting him to a pure utility role once Anthony Volpe returned from shoulder surgery. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (C‑) began the year poorly but has heated up, hitting .432 over his last ten games and raising his average to .247, though his power output remains far below last season’s 30‑home‑run pace. Paul Goldschmidt (B) has seen his playing time trimmed in favor of the surging Ben Rice, yet he still posts an .869 OPS and provides steady defense. Ben Rice (A+) has exploded onto the scene, blending power and plate discipline to become a middle‑of‑the‑order threat so valuable that the Yankees have kept him out of the catcher’s spot to avoid injury risk. Ryan McMahon (F) remains the team’s worst regular‑sized hitter (60 wRC+) and a defensive liability (–3 DRS). Anthony Volpe (C) returned from his offseason shoulder surgery, was briefly demoted, and has looked like his pre‑injury self but has not yet displaced Caballero at shortstop.
Outfield
Aaron Judge (A) continues to deliver elite on‑base plus slugging (.933 OPS) and remains third in the league with 17 home runs, despite a recent cold streak; his defensive work in right field remains reliable. Cody Bellinger (A) has justified his five‑year, $162.5 million contract, posting a .863 OPS and providing elite left‑field defense and protection for Judge. Jasson Domínguez (B) impressed after a early‑season demotion, but a spectacular catch that left him with a sprained shoulder landed him on the injured list. Trent Grisham (D+) has fallen short of the $22 million qualifying‑offer expectations, struggling to replicate his 34‑home‑run breakout year. Spencer Jones (D) struck out 12 times in just 27 plate appearances upon his first major‑league call‑up, lacking extra‑base hits. Giancarlo Stanton (C) began hot, then taunted a .175 average over his next 16 games before a right‑calf strain sent him to the IL; his biggest recent impact has been letting teammates wear his game pants in hopes of breaking his slump.
Overall, the Yankees boast a strong core—Cole, Schlittler, Judge, Bellinger, and the emerging Rice—while navigating inconsistency in the bullpen, questions about the catcher spot, and a need for more production from the mid‑infield and outfield. Addressing those gaps will be key if they hope to overtake the Rays and sustain a deep playoff run.