Aaron Judge Made These Three Key Adjustments to Start 2025 on Fire

So, what’s the difference?

Here are three key things driving his elite start to the 2025 season:

1. He’s Controlling the Zone Better Than Ever

Judge has cut his strikeout rate to 20.4%, down from nearly 30% two years ago , without sacrificing power. He’s doing it by laying off bad pitches. He has just a 18.9% chase rate, and swinging more at strikes, which is up to 69% zone swing rate,

Pitchers have to come to him more often, 49.3% of the pitches he sees are in the strike zone. When pitchers do dare to go there, he’s ready.

And he’s making them pay.

2. He’s Making More Contact and When He Does It’s Loud

Judge isn’t just swinging at the right pitches, he’s actually connecting more often, especially in the zone. His zone contact rate is nearing 80%. When he connects, the results are punishing: a 95.7 mph average exit velocity and a 25% barrel rate.

Nearly 59% of his batted balls are classified as “hard hit”. That is among the best in MLB.

So, he’s striking out less and punishing more pitchers

3. He’s Hitting Line Drives, Not Just Fly Balls

Judge’s line drive rate is up over 25%, while his fly ball rate is down slightly. That shift is leading to more singles, doubles, not just home runs. His BABIP (batting average on balls in play) is an absurd .492. That will eventually come down, but it shows how hard and consistent his contact has been.

Judge has attacked this season like a machine, improving his so-called “weaknesses” to make him overall more dangerous.