Aaron Judge Can't Carry the Yankees Lineup Alone in October

Aaron Judge is doing MVP things. Cody Bellinger’s turned his season around. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has come back from injury strong and Paul Goldschmidt has recovered after a tough June. They are carrying the Yankees through the first half.

But after that? The offense gets thin. Fast.

The Yankees went into the All-Star break leading the American League in home runs and slugging, but they still rank in the middle of the pack in runs scored. That’s because outside of the top of the order, the lineup isn’t getting it done consistently, especially with runners in scoring position. The power is there. Hitting in the clutch is not.

Aaron Judge – A+
No notes. He’s hitting .358 with 35 home runs and leads the league in just about everything. He’s reached base in 85 of the team’s first 95 games. The Yankees would be sunk without him.

Cody Bellinger – A-
He’s been hot for weeks and now owns the longest hitting streak by a Yankee not named Volpe in nearly a decade. He’s hitting .282 with 16 homers and might be the most important bat behind Judge.

Paul Goldschmidt – B
The veteran isn’t flashy, but he’s been productive. His numbers with runners in scoring position are solid, and he gives this team a righty bat that still knows how to handle an at-bat.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. – B

He’s thriving in his first full Yankees season, slashing .250/.348/.513 with 17 homers, 43 RBIs and 10 stolen bases over 65 games. His power and speed give the lineup an extra gear—though some fans might say his Home Run Derby flop suggests he let the moment get ahead of him.

Anthony Volpe – D
It’s gotten bad. Volpe is hitting .214 and just .115 over his last 22 games. He looks lost at the plate and has made more defensive mistakes than expected. If the Yankees make a move, this is the spot that forces it.

The Rest – C
Jasson Dominguez, Ben Rice, Austin Wells all have had flashes, but none have grabbed hold of a spot. The Yankees are relying on too many young hitters who haven’t figured it out yet.

What’s next?
The Yankees need another bat. Someone who can make contact, work counts, and come through in big spots. Volpe’s struggles have exposed just how much this offense relies on the top three spots. If they can’t get more balance, it’s going to catch up to them.

Midseason Lineup grade: B-
Judge, Bellinger, and Goldschmidt are doing the heavy lifting. But the Yankees need more than a top-heavy lineup if they want to survive October