Video: Yankees’ Aaron Judge Praised by Aaron Boone; ‘As Good as I’ve Ever Seen’

zach bacharContributor IMay 18, 2024

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has impressed many with his recent strong play, including manager Aaron Boone.

“He’s as good as I’ve ever seen,” Boone told reporters on Saturday. “Whether playing with, or managing, at handling the ebb and flow of the season. And obviously, part of that is he’s a great player. So, he has the confidence and knows that he’s going to have results.”

B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoff”He’s as good as I’ve ever seen.”

-Aaron Boone on Aaron Judge 🤝

(via @YESNetwork)pic.twitter.com/29BbQRj9VI

After struggling to begin the season, Judge has racked up six home runs and 11 RBIs over the Yankees’ past 11 games.

He’s also remained disciplined at the plate, hitting .472 over that span to go along with an impressive .612 on-base percentage. The team’s overall performances have coincided with his hot streak at the plate, with New York going 9-2 over those 11 games.

The Yankees started the season strong as well, but the same can’t be said for Judge. Through the first 27 games of the year, the former American League MVP racked up four homers and 13 RBIs while owning a 178/.317/.356 slash line.

However, the strong debut of Juan Soto as a Yankee along with the second-year surge from shortstop Anthony Volpe have kept the team in the early postseason picture before Judge started to look like his former self once again.

The Yankees’ captain acknowledged his improving play when speaking to the media on Wednesday, although he added that he’s focused on ensuring that it carries over into the postseason.

“We’re getting there, we’re getting there,” Judge said after a 4-4 performance at the plate against the Minnesota Twins, per Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “Not there yet. Hopefully we get there when we’re talking in November.”

MLB @MLBAARON JUDGE HITS ONE 467 FEET! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jBTKbZVbf4

New York sits at the top of the American League with a 31-15 record. The Yankees should be getting some more reinforcements, as reigning AL Cy Young Award-winner Gerrit Cole is targeting a “mid-June” return from an elbow injury that cost him the start of the 2024 season (via the New York Post’s Jon Heyman).

For now, the Yankees will attempt to stay at the top of the AL East with Judge seemingly back on track.