Aaron Judge has been the most dependable hitter of the New York Yankees for a long time now. He broke the American League home run record back in 2022. As a result, he won the AL MVP that year. Moreover, the Bronx Bombers made him the franchise’s new captain, succeeding Derek Jeter. However, as the new captain of the NY side, the 2022 AL MVP did not have a great start last year. 2023 was a disaster for Judge as well as the 27-time World Series champions. They finished fourth in the American League East division with a horrible 82-80 record. It was the worst season for the NY franchise in the last 30 years. Moreover, Aaron Judge suffered a toe injury at the Los Angeles Dodgers fence that resulted in a torn ligament.
Owing to this injury, the New York side’s captain missed 35 games on the trot in 2023. It was a huge blow for the team. Later, in the Spring Training this year, Aaron Judge sustained an abs injury, and as a result, he missed more games. Prior to the Spring Training, Aaron mentioned that his toe injury will need constant maintenance until he stops playing baseball. Moreover, the Yankees captain had a very slow start to the 2024 season. It has raised eyebrows. However, the AL 2022 MVP remains positive about bouncing back to form soon in the ongoing season.
Aaron Judge Has No Intention Of Giving Up After A Slow Start To 2024
Recently, in an interview with Jorge Castillo of ESPN, Aaron Judge mentioned that he had even worse starts to a season in his career. Hence, the slow start to the 2024 season does not really bother him. Moreover, the Yankees captain said that the form is not back yet. But it is always a work in progress. Nevertheless, Aaron Judge said it is a long season. Moreover, the former AL MVP told ESPN that in his career so far he had seasons where he started really well but then came to a month where he averaged around .150.
But the Yankees captain feels the key to get out of such slump is to keep working and improving. Moreover, he added, “I’m still Aaron Judge, there has been no change to that whatsoever.” However, not all fans have been very supportive of the slow start of the Yankees superstar. Last Saturday, Judge faced backlash through a lot of boos after his fourth strikeout against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Yankee Stadium. But the optimistic words of the 2022 AL MVP sure raised hopes for the Yankees Faithful.
An MLB Analyst Explained A Possible Reason Behind Judge’s Slow Start To 2024
Recently, a former MLB hurler and currently an analyst, Dontrelle Willis, has expressed his take on the performance of the Yankees captain so far in 2024. As per Willis, ever since Aaron Judge had the freak accident at the Los Angeles Dodgers fence, he has not looked 100% healthy.
"I don't think he's 100%. Ever since he ran into that fence in LA, he has struggled. He has not looked like the same Aaron Judge we all know and love."@DTrainMLB talks with @kevinburkhardt and @Sweendog9 about Judge's struggles in the first few weeks of the season pic.twitter.com/SQCnAXdmRY
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 22, 2024
He still does not look completely healthy. Moreover, Willis said Judge has not been like the same guy everybody knows and love. Adding to that, Willis said that Judge might not admit it but it looks he is not able to attack the ball like he wants to. On June 3, 2023, Judge clashed at the LA Dodgers fence.
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