Back to back: A little older he thinks he’s better than in ’22 ….
NEW YORK Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge had an unforgettable season in 2022, earning the American League Most Valuable Player Award after dominating in several offensive categories, including setting an AL record with 62 home runs.
Two years later, Judge is experiencing another stellar season and is the frontrunner for another MVP award, and it’s easy to see why. As of Monday’s game against the White Sox, Judge has the opportunity to become the first player since Miguel Cabrera in 2012 to achieve the Triple Crown. Judge currently tops the league in home runs (42) and RBIs (106), and he’s just 19 points shy of Bobby Witt Jr. in batting average (.347 to .328).
When asked recently if his 2022 self or his current self is better, Judge didn’t hesitate. He stated that the 2024 version is superior, thanks to two additional years of experience—and having Juan Soto hitting behind him doesn’t hurt either.
“The team we have, there are guys on base 80 percent of the time when I step up to bat, which makes my job a lot easier,” Judge explained. “I’m a bit older and more experienced now. I’m being more selective with my swings, and when you choose the right pitches, good things happen.” When he first entered the Major Leagues in 2016, Judge was known for swinging at almost anything. In his first full season in 2017, he struck out 208 times. Now, it’s all about keeping it simple by focusing on finding a pitch to hit within a specific area.
Judge’s patience at the plate is paying off this year, and he’s on track to surpass his personal record of 127 walks set in 2017. Heading into Monday’s games, Judge leads the league with 98 walks and boasts a .462 on-base percentage, which is a career high.
“Pitchers are going to try to make things difficult for you,” he said. “They’ll throw pitches on the edges, and you have to do your best to avoid those. It was always a problem for me in the Minor Leagues, swinging at too many pitches outside the strike zone—sliders off the plate, changeups low. Over the years, I’ve tried to narrow down my pitch selection, focusing on specific zones. It seems to be working out well this year.”