Aaron Judge, the captain and star center fielder for the New York Yankees, faced significant backlash following a critical error during Game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The mishap, a botched fielding of a fly ball, played a role in the Yankees’ loss.
It opened the door for the Dodgers to take home the championship in a 4-1 series victory. Despite an extraordinary regular season that saw Aaron Judge lead all of MLB in home runs and become a frontrunner for the American League MVP award, his playoff performance fell short of expectations, leading some analysts to question his suitability for center field.
Aaron Judge Discouraged To Continue As CF
Scott Braun, an analyst and presenter, voiced these concerns, pointing to Aaron Judge’s performance in the outfield and suggesting a possible positional shift. “For me, Aaron Judge is not a good center fielder,” Braun remarked, highlighting Judge’s occasional struggles and hinting that his size and defensive skills might not be ideal for the taxing center-field role. Braun’s remarks align with observations that Judge, while a powerful and reliable hitter, may find center field especially challenging, given the speed and agility demands it places on a player. Braun proposed Jasson Dominguez, the Yankees’ highly-touted young outfielder, as a viable alternative to take over center field. Dominguez, at just 21 years old, has already made a strong impression within the organization.
Though his postseason involvement has been limited, Jasson Dominguez is seen as a crucial part of the New York Yankees’ future and possesses the physical traits that could make him a strong fit for the role. Hence, if Aaron Judge were to move to right or left field, as Braun suggests, Dominguez could gain valuable experience and give the team a stronger defensive configuration. The Yankees also face a potentially franchise-altering offseason as they pursue free-agent superstar Juan Soto. Adding Soto to the lineup could further influence Judge’s role in the outfield, potentially pushing him into a corner position, where his hitting prowess could shine while reducing his defensive responsibilities. Braun lastly noted that shifting captain Aaron Judge to one of the flanks could extend his career and keep his offensive performance stable without the wear and tear of center field.
Judge Named AL-MVP Finalist
New York Yankees stars Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have both earned spots among the American League MVP finalists for the 2024 season, thanks to outstanding performances that powered the Yankees to the AL East title with a 94-68 record. The winner will be announced on November 21, in what’s anticipated to be a closely-watched decision.
Aaron Judge enters the race as the favorite after a phenomenal season. With 58 home runs, 144 RBI, and a .322 batting average, he topped the league in nearly every major statistical category. His .458 on-base percentage, .701 slugging, and 1.159 OPS mark the best slash line of his career. If Judge secures the award, it would be his second MVP title following his record-setting 2022 season.
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