Aaron Judge is doing something for the New York Yankees in 2025 that even he didn’t expect.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal Yankees slugger has quietly posted career highs in nearly every swing-related category this season. His first-pitch swing rate, total swing percentage, swings at strikes, and even chase rate outside the zone have all spiked.
And it’s working. Judge leads the league in batting average, sits near the top in home runs and RBIs, and remains on pace for a potential Triple Crown.
Why Are Pitchers Still Trying Judge?
When told about the numbers, Judge was genuinely surprised. Yankees manager Aaron Boone had the same reaction. But the data doesn’t lie — this version of Judge is more aggressive than ever. He’s attacking pitchers from the first pitch and putting pressure on them in ways few hitters can.
“I usually don’t get too many pitches to hit,” he said. “So if it’s going to be the first one, try to be ready. If it’s going to be the last one on a 3-2 count, try to be ready.
“It’s tough to say. I feel I’m in a good position to hit. If you’re in a good position to hit, you’re going to swing the bat. At times in years past, if I didn’t get to a good position to hit, you’re not going to feel good swinging the bat, so you take a lot of pitches.”
That approach has turned him into one of the most feared hitters in the game — again. But what’s unusual is that pitchers aren’t backing off. They’re still going after him, rarely pitching around him. Unlike Barry Bonds, who drew intentional walks at historic rates, Judge sees strikes — even with his numbers.
“The guys around me give me an opportunity to hit,” Judge said. “That helps out, too.”
Judge Credits Fellow Yankees For Seeing Better Pitches
Another factor keeping pitchers honest is the Yankees’ lineup. Judge often hits second or third, surrounded by bats that force opposing teams to pitch to him. And when runners are in scoring position, Judge delivers — hitting .348 in 88 such at-bats this year.
Despite an uptick in chasing pitches outside the zone, the damage outweighs the risk. Judge is getting into the zone early, covering all types of pitches, and staying locked in. Even during a mid-June slump, he snapped out of it with a two-homer game and hasn’t looked back.
He recently became the only player besides Babe Ruth to hit 30 or more home runs before Game 85 in four different seasons. That’s not just power — that’s sustained, elite-level production in today’s toughest era to hit.
The Yankees aren’t concerned about how often he’s swinging. In fact, they welcome it. As assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler put it: “If there’s a little bit of extra swinging involved, the damage is so great that it’s not a problem.”
Judge is redefining how a superstar can succeed with an aggressive mindset in 2025. A league that has previously favored patience, Judge is proving that controlled, confident swings — even at pitches outside the zone — can still produce historic results.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Aaron Judge’s ‘Surprised’ Reaction To Major Stat Increase Amid Memorable Yankees Season appeared first on Heavy Sports.