The New York Yankees need their captain, Aaron Judge, to stay healthy and in form if they want to win the World Series this year. Last year was terrible for the Bronx Bombers. They have not been able to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. Moreover, they finished with a horrible 82-80 record. It was their worst season in the last thirty years. On top of that, they finished fourth in the American League East division. Adding to that, the NY side had the worst batting average in the league after the Oakland Athletics in 2023. Moreover, injuries to key players like Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo, as well as the young Jasson Dominguez, really ruined it for the 27-time champions.
But then, the Yankees regrouped as they brought significant reinforcements. Moreover, Aaron Judge has a new partner in baseball crime, and that’s Juan Soto, arguably the best hitter in the game. Then, there is Alex Verdugo, the former Boston Red Sox outfielder. Moreover, Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton looked healthy so far in the new 2024 season. On top of that, the Yankees had a great start to the season with a 10-3 record. So far, there is not much to worry about for the Yankees Faithful. But the slow start of Aaron Judge has been concerning.
Should The Yankees Feel Worried About The Slow Start Of Aaron Judge?
It would be fair to say that the AL 2022 MVP had nothing much to do so far in the 10-3 start by the NY side. Moreover, it took the Yankees captain seven games to hit his first home run this year. Perhaps Aaron Judge is taking a little bit of time to get back into his groove. However, it should not shock the fans and the team management too much. After all, last year’s Roberto Clemente Award winner missed almost a week in the spring training. He was out with an abs injury.
Moreover, he also mentioned prior to the spring training that the toe injury he sustained in 2023 won’t heal easily. Aaron Judge said that would require constant maintenance until he retires. With these deep levels of injury issues, are the fans looking at a visible decline in the AL 2022 MVP? Clearly, the Yankees captain experienced a reduced effectiveness so far in the 2024 season. Moreover, All Rise Aaron Judge hit kind of rock bottom in the thirteen plate appearances till now. Perhaps it has something to do with a few changed things in his swing in 2024.
Unfair Strike Calls Perhaps Made Judge Change His Stance
Aaron Judge has been experiencing unfair strike calls from the umpires very frequently since 2017. Perhaps his height of 6’7 is causing the umps to make mistakes in judging where the strike zone is. Moreover, to change his luck regarding strike calls, the Yankees captain changed a few things about his swing in the ongoing season.
On top of that, the AL 2022 MVP seems to be a little patient with pitches. Then, again, when he was swinging, he did not have much power to make those swings even a base hit. But everybody knows that Judge’s main power is his “Greatest strength.” Now, the fans are rooting to see the same All Rise again.
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