Newly acquired slugger aims to provide protection for reigning AL MVP

The New York Yankees lineup will feature multiple new faces in 2025. After losing Juan Soto to the Mets in the offseason, the Yankees continued to build their lineup around reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge. 

The biggest downside to Judge's bat is simply how good he is. Teams know how dangerous he can be and would rather avoid facing him than risk giving up a long ball. 

Since 2022, Judge ranks second in walks (332) to Jose Ramirez and in intentional walks (48) to Shohei Ohtani. Teams haven't been afraid to pitch around him.

There are two reasons teams are so willing to pitch around Judge: He is one of the best hitters in baseball, and they haven't been afraid to face whoever's been hitting behind him. 

Whether hitting second or third in the lineup, the batter hitting behind Judge has not been dependable. Former Yankee Anthony Rizzo usually hit after Judge during his time in the two-spot. Last season, when he hit third, Giancarlo Stanton would hit behind Judge. 

Rizzo and Stanton had the power to drive the ball out of the park, but it was not consistently done. 

With Rizzo gone, Stanton starting the season on the injured list and Judge returning to second in the order, the Yankees will give a new player a chance to flank Judge in the batting order. 

That player will likely be newly acquired center fielder Cody Bellinger. He was the hottest Yankee in spring training, leading the team in hits (22), batting average (.423) and doubles (5).

The former NL MVP went 2-for-2 in New York's final spring contest with a home run (4), single and RBI (8) before being removed from the game.

Bellinger has been a player Yankees fans have wanted for years. Rumors surrounded the former Cubs outfielder and New York during the 2023 season before Chicago decided not to sell. A year and a half later, the rumors became a reality. 

According to Baseball Savant, Wrigley Field is the 23rd-ranked stadium regarding ballpark factor. Ballpark factor is a way to determine how much a stadium favors hitters or pitchers. Therefore, playing in a city notorious for its wind would prove challenging. Still, Bellinger had a .286 average with 44 home runs during his two-year tenure. 

Ranked at 18th for all hitters, Yankee Stadium is very friendly to lefties who can pull the ball. During his career, Bellinger pulls fly balls in the air at a 23% rate, seven points higher than the MLB average of 16%. 

If Bellinger can hit near how he was in spring, he will offer Judge the best batting protection he's had in his nine-year career. If healthy, Judge will have a great season, but how truly great will depend on how well the guy behind him can hit.