How Aaron Judge Revolutionized His Game Early in the Season with Key Swing Adjustments

Aaron Judge has started the season strong. Just last year, it took him 25 games to hit four home runs. This year, he managed to do it in just the first three games. Judge’s first home run was a standout moment in a 12-3 victory against the Brewers. After that, he drew three straight walks, showing his ability to influence the game even when he wasn’t hitting.

“I wanted to have a better March and April than last season,” Judge explained. During spring training, he made some important adjustments. The presence of strong hitters around him makes his job easier. “There’s always traffic on the bases when I’m at bat,” he noted. This allows him to focus more on hitting rather than feeling the pressure to drive in runs every time.

In one game against the Brewers, Judge blasted a 113 mph homer that traveled 410 feet. But it wasn’t just about the home runs; teams started pitching around him. When the pitcher accidentally fell behind 3-0, they intentionally walked him. However, this backfired when Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a two-run shot right after Judge. This season, opponents seem more focused on avoiding Judge’s powerful swings, indicating the respect he has earned after leading the league in home runs previously.

Judge is also getting smarter about how he approaches each game. “I try not to think about it,” he said about the fear opposing teams seem to have of him. Instead, he plans his strategy during at-bats and stays focused on competing with the pitcher.

Looking back at last year, it’s easy to forget that Judge had a slow start. By May 2, he had an OPS of just .725. But as the season progressed, he soared, finishing with impressive numbers that earned him accolades. Experts like Aaron Boone suggest that if Judge maintains this momentum, he might reach new heights far beyond expectations this year. “I can’t set a ceiling on him,” Boone remarked, highlighting the excitement around what Judge could achieve with a strong start to the season.

This impressive performance could lead to a historic season. According to stats from last year, over 23% of home runs in the league came from just a handful of players, showing how critical star hitters like Judge are. With his health and determination, fans are excited about the possibilities. The energy around Judge and his teammates is palpable, leading to a buzz about their potential for the season. If he keeps playing like this, Judge might be on the path to making even more history.

Check out this related article: Yankees Shine with Power Bats: Witness Their Historic Sweep of the Brewers!