The New York Yankees are eagerly anticipating Aaron Judge’s return to his usual form, as he has been struggling with a batting average of .197 and an OPS of .725. Despite a recent surge with three home runs in five games, Judge has been inconsistent, with long stretches of games where he fails to produce at his usual level. However, in a recent game against the Tigers, Judge came through with a game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth, sparking a rally that led to a 2-1 victory.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone and hitting coach James Rowson remain hopeful that Judge will soon find his groove at the plate. Rowson, who has known Judge since his minor league days, believes that the outfielder is close to breaking out and has been making adjustments to improve his performance. However, Judge’s numbers this season do not reflect his usual level of play, with lower exit velocities and struggles against fastballs contributing to his slump.
Despite Judge’s struggles, scouts are unable to pinpoint a specific reason for his offensive troubles. Boone continues to express confidence in Judge, noting his six home runs, 18 RBIs, and walks as positive aspects of his performance. Judge’s current OPS of .725, while below his usual standards, is still better than many other players in the league. The Yankees have been facing offensive challenges, as seen in a recent series loss in Baltimore where they scored only six runs in four games.
Judge remains determined to overcome this rough stretch, with Rowson expressing full confidence in Judge’s abilities as a hitter. The hitting coach believes that Judge is simply going through the normal ebbs and flows of a baseball season and is putting in the effort to make the necessary adjustments. Boone acknowledges the difficulty of hitting, even for elite players like Judge, but remains optimistic that Judge will soon return to form. As the Yankees continue to wait for Judge to break out, they hope that his recent game-winning hit is a sign of better things to come for the outfielder.
