Aaron Judge Likely Moving Back To Right Field In 2025
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Monday at the MLB winter meetings that it "makes sense" to move outfielder Aaron Judge back to right field in 2025 after failing to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto in free agency. And with Judge likely going back to right field, outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez is a leading candidate for starting center-field duties. The 32-year-old Judge's outfield positioning likely won't matter to most fantasy managers. A toe injury in 2023 limited the power-hitter to only 37 long balls and 75 RBI in 106 games, but the six-time All-Star bounced back in a big way in 2024 to win his second MVP award by leading the league in homers (58), RBI (144), walks (133), on-base percentage (.458), slugging (.701), OPS (1.159) and total bases (392). RBI opportunities might not be as plentiful with Soto now in Queens, but otherwise Judge is an elite class of power.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was named the 2024 American League Most Valuable Player on Thursday night after receiving all 30 first-place votes for the award. It's Judge's second career MVP award as he beat out the Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. and teammate Juan Soto. The honor was well-earned, as Judge led the majors in home runs (58), RBI (144), OPS (1.159) and wins above replacement (11.2) this year while spending most of his time in center field in the Bronx. He also led the Yankees back to the World Series, although they fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Judge's 223 adjusted OPS was the highest for a right-handed hitter since 1900, according to ESPN research. He becomes the seventh Yankees player to win multiple MVPs, joining Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Alex Rodriguez and Roger Maris.
Major League Baseball announced the 2024 American League Silver Slugger winners on Tuesday on MLB Network. The winners in the AL were Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Astros 2B Jose Altuve, Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr., Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez, Yankees OF Aaron Judge, Yankees OF Juan Soto, Orioles OF Anthony Santander, Royals catcher Salvador Perez, A's DH Brent Rooker and Rangers UTIL Josh Smith. It's the fourth time that Judge has won an AL Silver Slugger award in his career, this time coming two years after he set a new AL record with 62 home runs. He only had 58 long balls in 2024 but also posted career-highs in on-base percentage (.458) and slugging percentage (.701). The 32-year-old superstar's 1.159 OPS was the best from a qualified AL hitter since Mark McGwire back in 1996 when he was with the A's.
Aaron Judge Tallies Two Hits, Two RBI In Game 5 Loss
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge went 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI in their series-clinching loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Judge opening the scoring with a two-run shot in the first inning which also scored outfielder Juan Soto. This was his first round-tripper of the World Series and only third of the postseason. Later in the eighth inning, Judge hit a double to left field. Judge finished his postseason run with an underwhelming .184/.344/.408 slash line with just five extra-base hits and a 11:20 BB:K ratio.
Aaron Judge Homers, Drives In Three In Game 2 Victory
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and a two-run home run, tallying three RBI in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Guardians in Game 2 of the ALCS. It was Judge's first home run of the 2024 postseason after belting 58 during the regular season. The Yankees have been able to go 5-1 through six playoff games despite the 32-year-old going 3-for-18 (.167) thus far. The 6x All-Star has managed to collect six walks as well though, which has led to a solid .346 OBP. We'll see if Tuesday's long ball gets his bat going again, with his next opportunity to come in Game 3 in Cleveland on Thursday, likely facing LHP Matthew Boyd who Judge is 2-for-6 with a home run, five walks, and zero strikeouts against in his career.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge will head to the bench on Friday in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium a day after the team clinched the American League West title with a decisive win over the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. In that contest, Judge hit a home run for the fifth straight game. Trent Grisham will start in center field on Friday and will bat seventh against Pirates rookie right-hander Jared Jones. Judge is having another fantastic season in 2024 and currently leads the AL in home runs (58), RBI (144), walks (133), on-base percentage (.461), slugging percentage (.708), OPS (1.169), OPS+ (226) and total bases (392) in 157 games played. His .325 batting average (180-for-554) is third in the AL, so he still has a shot to win the AL Triple Crown with only three games remaining in the 2024 season.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge continued his scorching stretch at the plate on Thursday, homering in his fifth consecutive game on the way to a 10-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Judge finished the day 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored, and two RBI. After a "cold" stretch in late August and early September, Judge has returned to form with seven homers and 18 RBI in his last 12 games. He now has 58 dingers on the year and will look for his second 60-homer season over the final weekend.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge went 2-for-3 with a walk and a go-ahead grand slam in Friday's 5-4 win over the Red Sox. The blast came in the seventh inning with the Yankees down 4-1 but would give them a one-run lead that they would not relinquish. It also snapped a 16-game homerless drought for the 32-year-old and gave him 52 long-balls on the year. It has, of course, been an incredible season for the veteran slugger, now with a .321-52-130-111-8 line with an astronomical .470 wOBA and 213 wRC+.
Aaron Judge Hits 50th Homer, Then Smacks Another For Good Measure
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge blasted two more homers on Sunday, bringing his total to 51 on the season. There are no words to describe this man at this point, as he has a truly unbelievable 1.202 OPS and is carrying fantasy managers to the playoffs by himself. The 32-year-old has an OPS of 1.106 or higher and at least eight homers in every month since May. We could sit here and run off insane stats all night, or just sit back and appreciate greatness. He is the clear first pick in fantasy next year.
Aaron Judge Continues Power Surge, Smacks 49th Home Run
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge continued his power surge on Friday night as he smacked a solo shot for his 49th homer on the season in the Yankees' 3-0 win over the Colorado Rockies. The solo shot off of Rockies' starter Kyle Freeland was Judge's only hit on the day as he went 1-4. The AL MVP favorite now has a 1.192 OPS and has a homer in four straight games. He's on pace to finish with 62 HR on the season, which would tie his career high that was set in 2022. With the Yankees fighting to stay in front of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, every one of Judge's blasts have been vital to New York's success. It goes without saying but Judge should be a must start in all fantasy formats and DFS managers need to find a way to have him in their lineups at all costs.
Aaron Judge
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Yankees
