When the New York Yankees acquired Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo in trades this offseason, it made it clear that Aaron Judge would be playing a lot of center field in 2024, just as he did during his MVP season in 2022 in which he hit 62 home runs, and like he did two seasons ago, Judge is putting up video game numbers and is in the MVP conversation once again while starting 58 games in center field. There were some who were concerned about the injury risk for Judge due to the increased wear and tear playing the most demanding outfield position, but Judge loves playing center field, just as he did in his days at Fresno State.
“You've got a great view (from there),” Aaron Judge said, via Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. “When they were talking to me about getting Verdugo and Soto, (I said) wherever I need to play, whether it's left field, center field, second, DH, whatever I've got to do, I'll do it so these guys can feel comfortable and come in here and play their game. I love center field.”
Judge has held his own in center field this season, with one defensive run saved and no outs above average, so he is not a negative at the position. The offensive statistics are staggering, as Judge is batting .300 on the season with a .423 on-base percentage, a .686 slugging percentage and 28 home runs, which has his wRC+ sitting at 206, according to FanGraphs. For wRC+, 100 represents league average, and Judge's mark indicates that he is 106 percent better than the league average hitter.
How is Aaron Judge adjusting his routine to play center field?
Judge is not simply carrying on with the same routine as he plays center field for the Yankees. He admits that it is a heavier work load, which prompted him to lighten up his pregame routine, taking advice from fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
“Coming out here, the steps you take, hitting BP, going out there on defense, it wears on your body,” Judge said, via Rosenthal. “I've kind of tweaked the workload a little bit. But it's just about being smart. After six, seven, eight years playing the game up here, you start to figure out little things. … Even talking with Stanton, that's something he told me — you don't need to take that many swings. I would hit early, hit before BP, hit in BP, hit before the game, in between at-bats… he said you don't need to do all that. Your swing's your swing. Just go out there and have fun and be smart with it.”
The Yankees are coming off of three straight series losses, looking to rebound in the upcoming two-game series against the New York Mets. But the Yankees are still in a good position, two games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East.
The additions of Soto and Verdugo have been overall positive for the Yankees. Judge is still at the center of the team's success, but Judge's willingness to play center field allows for the Yankees to find value from other areas.
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