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Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees Captain Is Hot

Originally posted on Inside The Diamonds | By Tee Boyd | Last updated 5/23/24

The New York Yankees tacked on a 15-12 record in the month of March. Staying just above .500 for the month, a pivot needed to be made. The team was riding off the backs of newly acquired right fielder Juan Soto, and left fielder Alex Verdugo offensively. With the lack of ace Gerrit Cole, going into the season, a cause for worry was apparent. The Yankee rotation proved everyone wrong, including up to this point. Each starting pitcher, one through five, has an ERA under 3.30. It’s safe to say the starters have done their part.

To start the month of May, the Yankees managed to avoid being swept by who seems to be the heel for the Yankees in the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles . Judge, still underperforming, only managed one hit over four games. Going into game one of the following series as the Yankees hosted the Tigers, little did we know, it was the beginning of the end of the captain’s cold streak. Judge went one for three in game one while also recording a walk. The spark of Aaron Judge’s hot streak came in the seventh inning of game two against the Tigers. Suffering his first ever career ejection, Judge was visibly unhappy with a called third strike that was perceived by the power hitter to be ball four. After what seemed to be a few brief words by Aaron, the home plate umpire wasn’t hearing any of it and ejected the starting center fielder. Yankee fans can thank umpire Ryan Blakney for the current production by the captain.

23 days into the month of May, and Judge is tearing the cover off the ball. Thus far, Aaron has 24 hits in 64 at-bats giving him a double take-worthy .375 batting average. He is responsible for 14 RBI’s and is counted for 18 runs, all while blasting seven home runs, and finding his way on base with 17 walks. The best series of the month thus far seemed as if they were throwing beach balls. Judge had seven hits over an 11-at-bat series. He was only responsible for two runs over the series, but Judge was a problem in Minnesota. Over the past 15 days, Judge had 19 hits with 48 at-bats, 14 walks, 12 RBI, and six home runs. To really hone in on just how modern his success is, over the past week alone, Aaron Judge is 11 for 23 at the plate with three home runs, eight walks, and five RBIs. It’s a production that Yankee fans are accustomed to regarding the six-foot-seven-inch center fielder. Per usual, it’s become an expectation in New York. It was a slow start for the captain, but it’s safe to say that he has found his swing again. The way Judge is producing in the month of May, one would think he is swinging a gavel. The Yankees look to even the series with the Mariners before heading to San Diego for a weekend series against the Padres. Intentions to stay hot is evident, but with players like Judge, Soto, Volpe, and Verdugo all clicking, it appears to be a beyond reasonable goal for the team and Yankee fans.