Grading Yankees and Their First Half Performances

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July 15, 2026

For the tenth consecutive season, the New York Yankees have reached the halfway point of the season with an above .500 record. Despite suffering key injuries to Aaron Judge, Max Fried, and several other key contributors, the Yankees have fought their way into second place in the American League East. However, while some players have risen to the occasion, others have not done so.

S Tier: Ben Rice, Cam Schlittler, Brent Headrick, David Bednar

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With Judge out, Ben Rice has stepped in admirably to carry the Yankees’ lineup. Through 91 games, Rice ranks second in the American League in home runs (29), RBI (68), total bases (202), slugging percentage (.599), and OPS (.971). Simply put, he’s been the team’s offensive engine with Judge gone.

Likewise, Cam Schlittler has manned the front of the rotation despite injuries to Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Fried. Schlittler’s 2.05 ERA. 0.94 WHIP, and 4.1 WAR are the best marks in the American League, while his 137 strikeouts and 118 2/3 innings pitched both rank second.

A perceived weakness coming into the season, the Yankee bullpen has quietly pitched to the best mark in the league with an ERA of 3.05. Brent Headrick and David Bednar are big reasons why, and both deserve their flowers.

In 47 appearances this season, Headrick has posted a 1.55 ERA with 53 strikeouts. He’s also generated lots of swings and misses, with his 32.6 percent whiff rate ranking in the 92nd percentile.

Similarly, Bednar has pitched to a 2.70 ERA with 45 strikeouts as the Yankees’ closer. With a ground ball rate ranking in the 97th percentile, a chase rate ranking in the 99th percentile, and 18 saves, he’s held down the back end of the league’s best bullpen.

A Tier: Cody Bellinger, Fernando Cruz, Paul Blackburn

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Injuries to Judge and Trent Grisham have hurt the Yankees’ outfield, but Cody Bellinger has held his own in left. His batting average and slugging percentage are down slightly from last season, but his on-base percentage has risen considerably. In fact, Bellinger is already six walks away from matching last season’s total. His defense has also remained elite, with an outs above average of five and a fielding run value of six.

Out of the bullpen, Fernando Cruz has emerged as a dependable reliever. Despite a below-average fastball, Cruz’s ability to induce weak contact has shone through. His 21.5 percent hard-hit rate ranks as the best in baseball, as does his 40.9 percent whiff rate.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise this season has been Paul Blackburn. After re-signing on a one-year, $2 million deal in January, Blackburn has excelled as one of the Yankees’ long-inning relievers. Like Cruz, Blackburn has a below-average fastball but rarely allows hitters to make good contact. In 32 appearances, the 32-year-old journeyman has pitched to a 2.22 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.

B Tier: Trent Grisham, Jose Caballero, Ryan Weathers

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Despite weathering injuries, Grisham has enjoyed another productive season in pinstripes. Despite his slugging percentage dipping, Grisham has been one of baseball’s most patient hitters, drawing 41 walks and striking out 51 times. His chase rate of 16.4% also ranks as the best in baseball.

Jose Caballero has also had another good season with the Yankees. Despite playing six different positions this season, Caballero has filled each role nicely. He’s also showcased his power, clubbing a career-high 10 home runs. Furthermore, his speed has helped him steal 22 bases, the fourth most in the American League.

While Rodon missed the first six weeks of the season, he’s already returned to form. In nine starts, the 33-year-old has allowed three or fewer runs in all of them. He’s provided the rotation with much-needed consistency, especially considering the injuries the group has suffered.

Like Rodon, Ryan Weathers has dealt with a litany of injuries, although all of them came before this season. Still, Weathers was largely an unknown coming into 2026, but he’s turned into a dependable fifth starter. His 110 strikeouts are the 23rd most in the league, and his 4.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio highlights his incredible command.

C Tier: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ryan McMahon, Gerrit Cole, Will Warren

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After a career year in 2025, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has taken a step back in 2026, specifically in his offensive game. His .223 batting average and .698 OPS pale in comparison to last year’s marks of .242 and .813, and nearly all his underlying metrics have sunk considerably. His eight outs-above-average rank in the 96th percentile, and his 26 stolen bases are the third most in baseball. However, his offensive performance has plummeted in a contract year.

Like Chisholm Jr., Ryan McMahon has enjoyed a stellar defensive season but a lackluster offensive one. Despite totaling three outs-above-average, a mark that ranks in the 85th percentile, McMahon’s 32 percent strikeout rate has led to continued offensive struggles. As a result, the Yankees have begun to platoon the 31-year-old with journeyman Amed Rosario.

Coming back from Tommy John surgery is never easy, but doing so at 35 years of age is a different beast. However, not only has Cole returned to the field, but his fastball is still nearly two mph faster than the league average.

Despite this herculean effort, Cole has certainly had his issues on the mound. His kryptonite, the home run ball, has continued to trouble him, as Cole has allowed eight home runs in nine 2026 starts. He also struggled mightily in June, pitching to a 6.12 ERA in his first full month back.

Will Warren, meanwhile, has had his own struggles. After reaching May with a 2.39 ERA, Warren’s ERA has risen to 4.03. More concerning, though, is his inability to go deep into games. After pitching six or more innings five times through May, Warren hasn’t done so once over the past six weeks.

D Tier: Austin Wells, Camilo Doval

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To say Austin Wells has been disappointing so far would be an understatement. His batting run value of -14 is dead last in all of baseball, while his OPS crossed .500 on the final day before the All-Star Break. The Yankees have made it clear they plan to add a catcher at the trade deadline, so Wells’ time in the Bronx might have an expiration date.

Camilo Doval, meanwhile, has had a frustrating first full season with the Yankees. Despite a 98.8 mph cutter and 98.6 mph sinker, opposing batters crush Doval with a 48.6 percent hard-hit rate that ranks in the third percentile. That mark coincides with a 90.7 mph average exit velocity, which has led to a -3 pitching run value.