Don't let Aaron Judge distract you from former MVP teammate's resurgent season

Together, Judge and Goldschmidt “go through scouting reports’’ on pitchers, with the veteran Goldschmidt freely imparting wisdom on his fellow MVP teammate.

“He’s a pro, he takes notes, he remembers at-bats even from a couple of years ago,’’ Judge said of Goldschmidt’s attention to detail. “It’s impressive, the knowledge this guy has.’’

After inking a one-year, $12.5 million deal with New York this offseason, Goldschmidt has proven to be a potent complement to Judge in the Yankees' lineup. 

So far this season, the 2022 National League MVP has recorded 16 multi-hit games, the second-most in the majors. The only batter ahead of him? His teammate and newfound pupil Judge, who has 17 such games.

Through April 29, the dynamic tandem of Judge and Goldschmidt ranked first and second in batting average.

“I said [after signing with the Yankees], I have confidence I can play at a high level. You never know what’s going to happen, just like we don’t know what the rest of the year holds,” Goldschmidt said, per the NY Post. 

Despite his hot start, Goldschmidt isn't letting his success at the plate get to his head, noting that there is still plenty of season left.

"It’s a long season; I’d love to get a hit every time,” said the Yankees slugger. “I’d love to hit as high an average, as many homers, as many wins as we can. We know there’s going to be ups and downs, so I think for me, a big part is really just not paying attention to it. It’s showing up and trying to put the work in to be prepared to help us win every day.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that Goldschmidt's humility, not just his bat, helps curate a winning culture in the Bronx.

"This guy is probably on his way to the Hall of Fame, and he’s dripping in humility," Boone said via MLB.com. "The message with me is ‘whatever I need from him.’ It’s no, ‘I want to hit here…I want to play here.’ If it’s a day off, he’s ready. [He’s] going to play well for us between the lines but is going to elevate our room, too.”

While few thought of Goldschmidt as damaged goods, not many predicted that he would regain his MVP-caliber form in New York.

Although Judge will continue to be a media craze should he maintain his video game-like output, Goldschmidt deserves recognition for his career resurgence this season.