(Chris Young/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Aaron Judge has been a powerhouse for the New York Yankees, dominating pitchers with ease. His recent stats, including a .321 batting average, 41 home runs, and a 1.147 OPS over 114 games, are nothing short of remarkable. Judge’s performance is reminiscent of the prime years of Barry Bonds, and teams have started to take notice. As a result, a new strategy has emerged: intentionally walking Judge to avoid giving him the opportunity to change the game with his bat.
The Emergence of the “Judge Treatment”
This approach was notably employed by the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays in late July 2024. The Mets set the tone by pitching around Judge, walking him four times, once intentionally. The Blue Jays followed suit by issuing three intentional walks to Judge after he hit a home run in the first inning. This marked a significant moment in baseball history, as it was the first time in over 50 years that a player was intentionally walked in such a situation so early in the game.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the challenge, humorously dubbing it the “Judge treatment,” a nod to the “Bonds treatment” that saw Barry Bonds walk a record 232 times in 2004. While Judge has recorded 92 walks this season, with 11 being intentional, the Yankees must now confront a reality where their superstar is frequently passed over.
Strategic Adjustments for the Yankees
With teams avoiding Judge, the Yankees need to adjust their strategy. One option Boone has considered is flipping the batting order, placing Judge second and Juan Soto third, or even having them bat one and two. This change could force teams to pitch to Judge, as the fear of Soto’s prowess would loom large.
Additionally, the Yankees are relying on rookie catcher Austin Wells to step up as Judge’s protection in the lineup. Since taking over as the team’s cleanup hitter in July, Wells has been productive, with a .970 OPS, the highest among catchers during that period. His ability to deliver in key moments could compel teams to reconsider their strategy of walking Judge.
The Path Forward
As the Yankees push toward the postseason, opposing teams’ reluctance to pitch to Judge could become a regular occurrence. While frustrating for fans and teammates alike, it speaks to Judge’s incredible impact on the game. For the Yankees, finding ways to counter this strategy will be crucial to their success down the stretch and into October. Whether it’s through lineup adjustments or relying on other players to capitalize on the opportunities created by Judge’s walks, the Yankees must be prepared to adapt in this new era of baseball.
