On Friday, Aaron Judge addressed reporters, distancing himself from comments made by his hitting coach, Richard Schenck, regarding the New York Yankees’ performance.
According to multiple sources, Aaron Judge confirmed his regular work with Schenck, saying they meet “every two weeks.” However, he was quick to disassociate himself from Schenck’s recent social media critique of the Yankees’ player development.
“It doesn’t involve me, to be honest,” Aaron Judge stated.
“It’s somebody else making a comment. I’m not going to comment for somebody else. I’ve got no control over what another person does. It’s out of my control. I’ve got nothing for you.”
What happened
Richard Schenck, Aaron Judge’s personal hitting coach, recently expressed frustration on social media about the Yankees’ offensive struggles. Schenck commented on a post by the YES Network, which highlighted Judge’s impressive statistics in games the Yankees won compared to their losses.
Schenck’s critique brought to light a significant issue for the Yankees: despite Aaron Judge’s stellar performance, the team has been unable to convert his contributions into consistent victories. Judge is having an exceptional season, boasting a .314/.433/.702 slash line with 32 home runs, 83 RBIs, 23 doubles, and an OPS of 1.135.
Also, Aaron Judge leads the majors in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+ (215) and ranks second in fWAR (6.0) behind Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (6.2). His dominance has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the Yankees.
Schenck’s post quickly gained traction on social media, sparking widespread discussion among fans and analysts. The outcry even reached the Yankees’ clubhouse, prompting a response from manager Aaron Boone. When asked about Schenck’s comments ahead of the Yankees’ series opener against the rival Boston Red Sox, Boone responded diplomatically:
“Everyone is entitled to their opinions,” Boone told reporters. “People are going to take their shots. You can’t get all consumed with that stuff.”
Boone’s measured response reflects the complex dynamics within the team as they navigate a difficult season. The Yankees have lost 13 of their last 18 games, falling from first place in the American League East to two games behind the now first-place Baltimore Orioles. This dramatic decline has placed immense pressure on the team’s management and coaching staff to find solutions and turn their season around.
Aaron Judge’s performance has been a critical factor in keeping the Yankees competitive. He won the fan vote to earn a starting All-Star Game nod and surpassed Babe Ruth for the most home runs by a Yankees player before July in franchise history. Despite his individual success, the team’s overall offensive woes have been glaring.
In response to their struggles, the Yankees have made several adjustments to ignite their offense. Ben Rice, who was called up a few weeks ago to replace Anthony Rizzo, has been moved to the leadoff spot for the last two games. Meanwhile, Anthony Volpe, who started the year strong but has since struggled, has been dropped to the bottom of the order as Boone and the coaching staff search for a lineup that can consistently produce.
Schenck’s pointed critique highlights the broader issues facing the Yankees. Despite having one of the league’s most dominant hitters in Judge, the team has struggled to develop and maintain a productive offense. Boone’s response indicates an awareness of these challenges and a focus on finding solutions without getting bogged down by external criticisms. As the season progresses, the Yankees will need to address these issues head-on to remain in contention and capitalize on Judge’s remarkable performance.
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