There are certain unsaid rules of baseball. Let’s say respect the veterans, earn your spot, and not expect handouts. For most players, entering the Yankees clubhouse could feel overwhelming, as they are surrounded by MVPs, All-Stars, and World Series champions. All they need is a leader who knows how to make everyone feel secure.

That’s exactly what Aaron Judge did. Sean Boyle, a right-handed pitcher who was drafted in 2018, hasn’t made a major league roster yet, but he receives high acclaim from Judge now and then, which makes him feel a sense of belonging. “I’ve never made a roster, never made the big leagues. But yet the captain of the New York Yankees is going out of his way to make a guy like me comfortable.” This isn’t something players get to hear very often.

That’s leadership at its finest.

Judge isn’t just a $360 million slugger who became the Yankees’ 16th captain in 2022—he’s a glue guy, the type of leader who sets the standard by lifting others up. A title is one thing, but truly embodying the role of a captain? That’s different.

It’s always the moments like these that build the team’s chemistry. When big names in the room treat everyone like they matter, it changes everything. As the Yankees buckle up for this season, Aaron Judge isn’t only setting records, but he’s actually raising standards for what a captain should be like.

Aaron Boone praises Aaron Judge’s form as Yankees captain prepares for 2025

The 2025 regular season is drawing closer, and the Yankees captain isn’t just focusing on leading; he’s ensuring his own game reaches another level. And according to Aaron Boone, Judge is already showing signs of it. His devotion to improving is evidently visible in his recent games, and his hard work didn’t go unnoticed.

Boone recently opened up about Judge’s game, and he pointed out how well he has refined his skills. He said, “I like seeing him do that. It’s definitely good to see the captain break out his home run trot. I think he tries different things and tinkers with things throughout the spring. In the last several games, especially, he’s been winning a lot of pitches. I thought today he got some good swings off, too.” Clearly, Judge is working super hard to improve his approach.

Judge himself has mentioned how he is preparing for the season. “I’ve been trying to do a lot of stuff in the back fields or whatever. I’m shooting for 40-50 [at-bats]; I think that might help us start April off a little better.” It’s honestly impressive that he always finds room to improve.

Despite all the challenges and setbacks the Yankees are presently facing, the way Judge is locked in and focused, the Yankees fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about.