After pulling off a notable catch during Friday’s game, Judge Aaron briefly stayed on the ground, soaking in the moment.
It didn’t take long for him to get up and head to the dugout, but that moment of stillness is something he shares with his teammates, as well as everyone connected with the Yankees.
“I was a bit nervous at first,” commented Aaron Boone, emphasizing his concern for the star player’s well-being.
As usual, Judge was more than alright. He played a solid role in the Yankees’ 11-0 victory over the Cubs, contributing with two walks and a sacrifice fly.
The highlight of his performance was undoubtedly his diving catch near the right field line, robbing Kyle Tucker and ending the eighth inning with a flourish.
Meanwhile, Carlos Rodon completed eight scoreless innings, showcasing his own impressive skills on the mound.
Judge described the effort it took to make the catch: “I felt like I was running a mile to get to the ball. I don’t consider myself old, but sometimes it feels like it. I had to double-check everything to make sure it was in the right place.”
That catch came just after a moment where he misplayed a ball from Nico Horner, which nearly rattled Rodon. But Boone switched things up, bringing in a left-handed batter who followed up with a solid hit.
Following a base hit, Judge mentioned he was ready to “run the wall” for Tucker’s fly ball, a situation the Yankees are keen to avoid after his infamous run-in with the Dodger Stadium fence in 2023.
“I still have work to do,” Judge remarked about his defensive skills. “What happened at Dodger Stadium was just one of those weird incidents. When the pitcher is in trouble, I’ve got to step up.”
His defensive prowess was on full display starting in the fourth inning, where he helped secure a lead against the Cubs.
The first highlight was when Pete Crow Armstrong sent a deep fly ball towards the right field seats, but Judge timed his leap perfectly, focusing despite the distractions from the crowd.
With the “MVP” chants echoing in the stadium, he followed up with another impressive catch, leading to yet another round of cheers as he jogged off the field.
Friday’s game was a reminder of how advantageous it would be for the Yankees to share playing time in right field between Judge, Trent Grisham, and Cody Bellinger.
According to Fangraphs, Judge has shown strong metrics defensively in right field, significantly improving from a minus nine score when he played center last year.
“He’s an elite right fielder,” Boone praised, acknowledging Judge’s commitment to his defensive skills.
