Since Aaron Judge landed on IL due to a toe injury, the New York Yankees offense, for the first time, looked in good touch. In the recently concluded series against the Oakland Athletics, the team managed to score 10 runs for consecutive straight games. This rare sight was witnessed last on May 30, days before the captain’s injury.
The pressure to fill in for a potent hitter like Aaron Judge took a toll on the Yankees’ veteran hitters. All of them, collectively, collapsed. Their average, individually, dropped below .150, along with record hitless streaks. Having said that, after weeks of dry runs, a few players have finally started displaying signs of life, which could be viewed as a promising sign for the team.
Anthony Volpe
The rookie Anthony Volpe‘s struggles are not even remotely related to Aaron Judge’s injury. The kid has been struggling to produce offensively since the start of his rookie season. However, ever since he made an adjustment to his stance, the kid bore fruits. His batting average in the last 15 days peaked at .314 with a .900 OPS, one homer, two stolen bases, and a .486 slugging percentage. The strikeout rate is, however, still a persistent issue. Nevertheless, as a rookie, Anthony Volpe’s job is to produce these small yet significant performances every now and then. As long as he manages to attain the desired consistency, the Yankees are good.
Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Stanton‘s 2023 season has been a rollercoaster ride. He faced a hamstring injury in the middle of a hot streak which led to six weeks of long absence. Moreover, even once he returned, the struggle on the plate remained constant. Just recently, the potent hitter has started to show positive signs of improvement. In Wednesday’s game against the Athletics, he came out as a top contributor with a solo homer, two hits, and three RBIs. Stanton’s form is crucial for the Yankees as he probably is the only batter on the roster capable of covering for Judge’s loss single-handedly. The key for him will be to stay fully healthy. The rest will follow his lead eventually.
Harrison Bader
Harrison Bader‘s 2023 season was also marred by injuries. After recovering from an oblique injury, he also went on a six-week long holiday due to a hamstring issue. The injury visibly impacted his form since he is averaging .207 and a .207 OBP in June post-return. Nevertheless, Bader also improved his numbers during the Athletics series, along with a stellar defensive display. Overall, the center fielder should prioritize his health. And if needed, must restrict himself in the field a little bit to stay immune to injuries.
Having said that, it is worth mentioning that no individual player can fully replace the impact of Aaron Judge. Judge’s presence in the lineup brings a combination of power, discipline, and leadership that is difficult to replicate. The Yankees will continue to miss his contributions until he returns to full health. In the meantime, the Yankees will need these three players, along with the rest of the lineup, to continue stepping up and delivering consistent performances.