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Aaron Judge Tied a Career High Without Swinging a Bat Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 1:18 PM ET

Aaron Judge didn’t swing the bat twice on Monday night, because he didn't have to.

The Yankees slugger was intentionally walked two more times in Toronto, bringing his season total to 20. That number already matches his career high and ties him for the second-most intentional walks by a Yankee in a single season since the stat began being tracked in 1955.

The only player with more? Mickey Mantle, who drew 23 in 1957.

Judge is forcing teams to wonder why they would even pitch to him, especially since Giancarlo Stanton has not found his power yet.

His 20 IBBs are the most by any major leaguer before the All-Star break since Albert Pujols had 23 in 2010. Based on his current pace, Judge is on track to finish the year with 34 intentional walks. That would shatter his personal best.

It’s not hard to see why. Judge leads the league in home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS, and he’s doing it with little lineup protection as the Yankees navigate injuries and inconsistency around him. Judge is hitting .354 with 30 home runs and a league-best 1.175 OPS. He has 67 RBIs.

It's all the more impreesive, because pitchers aren’t pitching to him—they’re working around him.

He now has 88 career intentional walks, fourth-most by a Yankee behind only Don Mattingly (136), Mickey Mantle (126), and Bernie Williams (97). He could realistically pass Williams this season and climb further if the strategy keeps trending.

For Judge, the free passes are frustrating, especially when the lineup around him is struggling to hit with runners in scoring position.

But each one builds the case that Judge isn’t just one of the best hitters in the game, he is the most feared.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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