Aaron Judge is once again proving why he remains the heart of the New York Yankees’ offense. With towering home runs, league-leading production, and clutch performances, the veteran slugger continues to fuel New York’s first-place push despite a battered roster and early adversity.
In Saturday’s 13-1 rout of the Colorado Rockies, Judge blasted his 18th home run of the season—tying him for the MLB lead—and further underscored his dominance at the plate. Yet, amid the highlights and accolades, the five-time All-Star revealed something unexpected.
“I don’t feel too great at the plate,” Judge told reporters after the win, per the Associated Press. “Always a work in progress.”
Pushing the limits despite imperfection
Judge’s remarks were as startling as they were revealing. Despite sporting a .395 batting average, 18 home runs, and 46 RBIs, the Yankees captain insists he’s still searching for rhythm. His level of self-demand reflects the mentality that has made him one of the most feared hitters in baseball.
He has now gone deep in back-to-back games at Coors Field, helping the Yankees respond emphatically to an opening-series loss. Saturday’s win lifted New York to a 31-20 record and further extended their AL East lead over the Boston Red Sox to 5.5 games.
Boone credits discipline, not just power
Manager Aaron Boone praised Judge’s evolving approach at the plate. More than just raw power, Boone believes it’s his star’s patience that truly frustrates opposing pitchers.
“Ultimately, if you’re going to have real success, you’ve got to rely on a little bit of chase with him,” Boone explained. “He’s just gotten so good at not chasing. You just don’t see him leave the zone that often. As dangerous as he is and as much power as he has, when you’re not leaving the strike zone, I’m sure that can’t be an entirely comfortable feeling for a pitcher.”
Support around him, spotlight still on Judge
Judge has also benefited from timely contributions by Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger, helping balance a lineup hit hard by early-season setbacks. But make no mistake—this is still Judge’s team, and he’s performing at an MVP-caliber level even as he insists there’s more to unlock.
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already voted 11 fans
“The stadium is great,” Judge said of the atmosphere. “Fans always show up in numbers and it’s a packed house.”