The Yankees star is set to have his stepfather throw pitches to him in the 2025 Home Run Derby.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is already an MLB star — he's earned two All-Star selections, played in the 2024 World Series, previously graced the cover of "MLB The Show 23," and is known for his unique style on the field, from jewelry to custom cleats. On Monday night, his stardom will get yet another boost.
The Yankees infielder will be competing in the 2025 Home Run Derby, becoming the first player from the franchise to participate in the event since Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez did in 2017. While he'll certainly be vying to win the trophy, Chisholm will also have a special connection with his pitcher.
Geron Sands, Chisholm's stepfather, will be throwing pitches to the star in the Home Run Derby. Sands has played a role in Chisholm's development as a player, even throwing to him in past (and smaller) home run events.
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Here's what to know about Sands, who will be pitching to Chisholm in the 2025 Home Run Derby.
MORE: What to know about Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s real name
Who is Geron Sands?
Geron Sands is Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s stepdad and also his selected pitcher for the 2025 Home Run Derby. That's a decision that Chisholm seemingly made quickly, as according to ESPN, he FaceTimed Sands last week to inform him he'd be joining the Home Run Derby.
"Pops," Chisholm told him, per ESPN. "You get your arm ready."
While the familial connection between Chisholm and Sands plays into their pitcher/trainer and hitter relationship, Sands has also been the primary batting practice thrower through a lot of Chisholm's life. Additionally, Sands, who's from the Bahamas just like Chisholm, is the national head coach for the Bahamas, a role he took on in 2024 ahead of the Caribbean Baseball Cup.
MORE: The list of Yankees HR Derby winners Jazz Chisholm Jr. could join
Geron Sands coaching history
While Sands has been in the spotlight previously for his relationship with Chisholm and status as the Yankees star's go-to BP pitcher, he also has had his own baseball career. He's the co-founder of I-ELITE Sports Academy, and in 2024, he became the head coach of the Bahamas' national baseball team.
Prior to his coaching career and personal coaching time with Chisholm, Sands was a college and professional baseball player. Nowadays, his roles include coaching the national Bahamas squad, training with minor leaguers, college players, and select MLB players, including Chisholm, being the co-owner of I-ELITE Sports Academy, and an agent representing amateur and professional players.
In 2024, Sands was named the head coach of the Bahamas' national team before it competed in the Caribbean Baseball Cup.
What is I-ELITE Sports Academy?
I-ELITE Sports Academy, which was co-founded by Sands and Bahamian former baseball player Albert Cartwright, is an academy that is focused on "transforming baseball athletes into the best versions of themselves." It includes training, mentoring, and "a school with boarding options, combining education and elite training to help players succeed both on and off" the field.
Athletes trained by Sands and Cartwright include Chisholm and Sebastian Walcott, the Rangers' top prospect.
MORE: Timeline of Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s unique jewelry, in and out of games
Why Jazz Chisholm Jr. chose his stepdad
According to ESPN, Sands is someone that's been in Chisholm's life since he was eight years old and has often been the one throwing him batting practice throughout his development as a baseball player. So, when Chisholm had the opportunity to join the Home Run Derby, he knew who he was gonna call.
When Chisholm competed in the Don't Blink Home Run Derby in the Bahamas last year, Sands was also his pitcher then. After the Yankees infielder asked Sands about being a pitcher in the Derby, he departed from his home in Nassau, Bahamas, for Yankee Stadium, where he and Chisholm have practiced in preparations for the Derby, per ESPN.
"I don't think I'll be affected by it," Sands told ESPN of the big stage of throwing in the Derby.
MORE: Full Jazz Chisholm Jr. family tree, from his grandmother to parents
Previous father-son combos in the Home Run Derby
There have been plenty of father-son duos to take on MLB's Home Run Derby, with a few notable stars selecting their dad as their Derby pitcher.
One of the most famous cases of that was in 2011 when Robinson Cano won the title with his father, former big-leaguer Jose Cano, pitching to him. The longtime second baseman also picked his father to pitch to him in the 2013 and 2016 events.
“I don’t want to say that I won the trophy,” Cano said after winning the 2011 Derby, per the Washington Post. “I want to say that my dad has won the trophy.”
July 11, 2011
— NY Yankees Throwbacks (@yankeethrowback) July 18, 2022
Robinson Cano wins the home run derby pic.twitter.com/7YhtngGM4B
Another well-known time a father pitched to his son in the Home Run Derby was in the 2013 and 2018, the two times Bryce Harper competed. In both instances, his father, Ron Harper, threw him pitches. In 2013, Ron Harper laughed after accidentally hitting his son with a pitch during the Finals.
But in 2018, the two came out victorious in front of Harper's home crowd in Nationals Park.
Bryce Harper won the Home Run Derby in the most dramatic way possible. pic.twitter.com/qpnvbcx0xe
— ESPN (@espn) July 17, 2018
Two more former MVPs to have their fathers pitch to them in the Home Run Derby are Kris Bryant in 2015 and Cody Bellinger in 2017. In 2025, Chisholm isn't the only one who will have a father pitching to him.
Cal Raleigh, MLB's home-run leader entering the All-Star break, will also have his dad, Todd Raleigh, pitching to him in the event.
Category: Baseball
