‘Matter of time’ before Aaron Judge busts out of rut, his swing starts to find its groove

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A glimmer of hope flickered for the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, as Aaron Judge showcased promising signs of emerging from his season-long hitting slump. The powerful outfielder’s double and hard-hit outs against the Athletics in their 4-3 victory hinted at a potential offensive resurgence that fans have been yearning for.

Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Aaron Judge’s positive strides, highlighting his satisfaction with the double, especially considering the challenging, cold weather conditions. While Esteury Ruiz made a leaping catch in right-center field to rob Aaron Judge of a home run, Boone pointed to his captain’s consistent approach at the plate and his proximity to breaking out of his slump. He praised the slugger’s ability to get on base multiple times in the game, suggesting that tangible results were likely just around the corner.

“It’s good to see him kind of get into one,” the Yankees manager told in the Bronx. “Cold night tonight, wind blowing around. Good to see him shoot one the other way like that to right-center where [Esteury] Ruiz made a pretty play on him. He’s always close. Good to see him definitely get some results, get on base a couple of times. Matter of time.”

Prior to Tuesday, Aaron Judge had been mired in a deep slump, battling a meager .174 batting average and a concerning 18 strikeouts in his last eight games. His last extra-base hit came all the way back on April 14th, making his performance on Tuesday a significant development. This outing also marked the first game since April 13th where he avoided a strikeout.  

Yankees starting to see locked-in Aaron Judge again

Aaron Judge’s impact was immediate, contributing to the Yankees‘ explosive four-run first inning with a double down the left-field line. He later scored, along with Juan Soto, on a clutch double by Giancarlo Stanton. While Aaron Judge recorded outs in his subsequent at-bats, including a lineout to right field and a near-home run robbed again by Ruiz, his improved bat contact was evident. His final hit of the night left the bat at a scorching 104 mph and traveled an impressive 393 feet.

With the Yankees’ offense struggling, particularly during recent home stand shutouts, Aaron Judge’s resurgence is crucial. The need for consistent offensive production beyond Soto has become increasingly pressing. Stanton commended Aaron Judge’s unwavering approach throughout the season, expressing unwavering confidence in his ability to rebound and become a significant contributor once again.  

“He’s had great at-bats throughout the season, getting deep into counts and getting on base,” Stanton said. “It’s only a matter of time before he is squaring balls up like tonight.” 

As the Yankees look towards the future, they remain optimistic that Aaron Judge’s performance on Tuesday will serve as a springboard for a more consistent and impactful presence in the lineup. Their hopes rest on Judge rediscovering his slugging form and propelling the offense forward.

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