CHICAGO — As the baseball season advances further into August, the Yankees’ surprising ascent to the top of the American League East can be primarily traced to the turn-back-the-clock performances of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, an offense that has scored the most first-inning runs and a bullpen that is among the most reliable in the majors.

But perhaps no player has more closely mirrored the Yankees transition from early-season floundering to midsummer flourishing than shortstop Didi Gregorius.

Gregorius, who was acquired last winter from Arizona, had the unenviable task of replacing Derek Jeter, and he did not endear himself to fans with a handful of plays early in the season that might best be described as anti-Jeteresque, beginning on opening day when he was thrown out trying to steal third with his team trailing by four runs late in the game.

As those miscues have largely disappeared, a different Gregorius has emerged — one whose athleticism has become an asset and whose bat has become a threat.