“A Good Chance To…” How Juan Soto Helped Turn Aaron Judge Into an Even Better Hitter Through His At-Bats

Your company can certainly create a different version of you. Aaron Judge has been bearing witness to that since the arrival of Juan Soto. While one can’t call the New York Yankees a team with bad hitters, Soto brings a different level of pedigree to the team. For Judge, in particular, this is proving to be a major boon. The superstar is no longer the sole centerpiece of the Yankees offense and that has helped him in expanding his role within the team.

One of Juan Soto’s greatest qualities is his grinding out abilities. The Dominican superstar can sometimes take his at-bats to over 10 pitches. While this helps Soto pick up his spot, it also indirectly helps All Rise create a plan. The Yankees captain revealed as much in his post-game conference after the Yankees defeated the Mariners 7-3.

While Judge was in his now regular praising session for Soto, he was asked how the Dominican star helped him improve his play. “Just getting a chance to see pitches, and there is no easy – no non-pressure situations when he’s in the box,” Judge said about playing next to Soto. However, the captain then went into detail about how Soto’s at-bats helped him in properly scouting the pitchers.

“Getting a chance to be on deck and (see) what’s his out pitch today. How is his fastball coming out? What is he trying to do with the fastball?” Judge said, “Does he have a feel with his pitches? I get a chance to see what they are doing, even the relievers that face him and me back-to-back. It gives me a good chance to see what’s going on.” 

So has it helped Judge? One look at his numbers does show that the captain is able to read the pitches in a better way this season. However, surprisingly Soto’s impact runs deeper than expected within the New York Yankees.

Aaron Judge and Juan Soto’s partnership continues to haunt opponents 

With 41 walks after 51 games, Aaron Judge is currently on top of the American League for walks taken. Though All Rise has always been successful in grinding out walks, this season he has been uncharacteristically more patient when it comes to pitches. This method of grinding out pitches is something that Judge has picked up from Soto. And it has certainly helped him in his quest to regain lost form.

That was one of the reasons why even during his bad start Aaron Judge’s OBP remained near .400. Similarly Juan Soto too has been getting walks (though not at the level of Judge) this season. However, this isn’t something that’s only noticeable in these two – the entire Yankees are currently first in the AL for walks taken (197). Is this a new-found strategy or the impact of having a disciplined player like Soto in the squad? Whatever it may be, at least for now, it’s working for the New York Yankees.