Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. motivated by early All-Star voting lead
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s contagious smile and electric play looks to be headed to this year’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
The Marlins’ 24-year-old second baseman has garnered the admiration of the national baseball audience, earning more votes than any other second baseman in the National League through the first phase of voting, with 634,762.
He is ahead of Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies and the Mets’ Jeff McNeil, respectively.
“It’s very motivational,” Chisholm told the Sun Sentinel this week. “I always wanted to be an All-Star. I want to be a Hall of Famer, so All-Star is the first step and that’s one thing I want to be for years to come.
“It tells me to keep going so I could be in the running for anything.”
In his second full season with the majors, Chisholm is hitting .249 with 14 homers through Thursday, nearing last year’s total of 18. He has also driven in 45 RBIs and stolen 12 bases.
When it comes to his year two leap, Chisholm credits an increased self-belief and work ethic.
“Trusting myself in everything I do,” Chisholm said of the biggest difference from last season. “Defense, offense, trusting that everyday I worked has been for a purpose, and I worked hard everyday.”
Pitcher Sandy Alcántara is one of the few players on the Marlins’ roster with All-Star game experience and looks likely to return to the mid-summer classic, as he’s in the midst of one of the best seasons of his career.
As someone who knows what it takes to get to that stage, he’s proud of the position that Chisholm has put himself in so far.
“I think he’s been doing a really good job since last year,” Alcántara said. “He’s focusing better on what he needs to do. Those votes that he’s getting are well-earned, he’s been hitting the ball great, and I’m super happy for him. It’s going to be a beautiful experience for him and his family. I hope that he enjoys it.”
One of the areas that Chisholm has shown the greatest improvement has been in his approach at the plate. His discipline and patience in his at-bats have been key to his improved offensive numbers.
Chisholm walked just 34 times in his rookie season, he’s already up to 21 not even halfway through 2022.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly has been impressed with how quickly he has gotten better, and he only sees more growth for Chisholm in the future.
“I think the biggest thing is Jazz has just gotten better,” Mattingly said. “His focus has been better, he’s given away less at-bats. We know his work is good, prep is good, that’s going to allow his talent to surface more often. He’s still got a ways to go in our minds, there’s still a lot more in the tank for him to get better.
“So, he’s definitely improved from last year to this year in a lot of his habits.”
Each all-star team will have nine elected starters via the two-part fan balloting program at www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot, while the pitchers and reserves are determined through a combination of player voting and selections made by the Commissioner’s office. The complete All-Star rosters will be revealed July 10 at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN during the MLB All-Star Selection Show. The game is July 19.
Even if he Chisholm does not come out on top in the second phase of voting, his early vote totals indicate he could be chosen as a reserve. Miami doesn’t have an extensive list of All-Star game starters, just six, the most recent being Marcell Ozuna in 2017.
Additionally, Chisholm could make history by becoming the first Bahamian player to ever play, much less start, in the game, a special goal but one that doesn’t completely surprise him or those close to him.
“My family and friends keep me so mentally strong in the way of telling me like I’m supposed to be [an All-Star],” Chisholm said. “I mean it’s great that I’m going to be the first Bahamian All-Star, but I feel like I want to be the first Bahamian Hall of Famer.”
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