NEW YORK — Aaron Judge has built a trophy case that most players can only dream about. Two American League MVP awards. Multiple Silver Slugger honors. Seven All-Star selections. A batting title. Yet one piece of hardware remains conspicuously absent from his collection.
Each year, the omission becomes more glaring. Judge has been one of the most reliable and skilled defensive right fielders in baseball since his debut. The numbers prove it, but the recognition simply never arrives when the Gold Glove finalists are announced.
The pattern that refuses to break
Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 282 pounds, Aaron Judge looks more like an NFL tight end than an outfielder. His physical frame makes his agility and range in the field even more impressive. Few players his size move as smoothly or cover as much ground.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, Judge has accumulated 64 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) in right field. Only one American League player, Mookie Betts, has recorded more in that span before his trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020. The next closest competitor, Max Kepler, trails far behind with 40. No other AL outfielder has come close to Judge’s total.
Judge also ranks among the best in another key metric. He has posted 25 Outs Above Average (OAA) since 2017, the fourth-most among right fielders. Only Jason Heyward, Betts, and Kepler have higher totals, further underlining his defensive impact.
What the recent numbers reveal
During his record-setting 2022 MVP season, when Judge hit 62 home runs, his defense was often overlooked. That year, he posted 8 Defensive Runs Saved and 4 Outs Above Average, committing just one error in 148 games in right field.
The following season, he fought through injuries but continued to post solid defensive numbers, finishing with 3 DRS and 2 OAA across 106 games. His .992 fielding percentage reflected steady reliability despite limited action.
The 2024 campaign tested him in new ways. The Yankees shifted Judge to center field for extended periods, where he struggled with positioning and reaction time. He ended that year with -6 OAA in center across 105 games. Once back in right field, his comfort and instincts quickly returned.
In 2025, his defensive workload declined again as injuries and designated hitter assignments cut into his time in the field. Even so, he logged 3 DRS and 4 OAA — below his typical standard, but still valuable whenever he took the field.
The recognition that never comes
Judge’s powerful arm stops runners in their tracks. His closing speed allows him to track down deep drives in the gap. He dives, slides, and leaps with athleticism that seems impossible for a man his size.
Still, he has never received a Gold Glove Award.
Every year, when the winners are announced, his name is missing from the list. Some of those honored have posted weaker defensive metrics. Others appear to benefit from reputation or team spotlight rather than on-field performance.
“When Aaron Judge’s career is complete and he makes his speech at Cooperstown, the one thing that will be on everybody’s mind is that prolific bat,” one baseball analyst said. “Unless you watch the New York Yankees every day, what one wouldn’t know is just how good his glove has been.”
Aaron Judge Defensive Statistics (2017–2025)
| Season | Team | Primary Position | Games in OF | Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) | Outs Above Average (OAA) | Fielding % | Errors | Notes |
| 2017 | Yankees | RF | 141 | +9 | +6 | .982 | 4 | Rookie breakout season, showed strong arm and range |
| 2018 | Yankees | RF | 112 | +10 | +7 | .990 | 2 | Missed time with wrist injury but elite defensively |
| 2019 | Yankees | RF | 102 | +9 | +5 | .987 | 3 | Maintained elite positioning and throwing accuracy |
| 2020 | Yankees | RF | 26 | +3 | +2 | 1.000 | 0 | Limited by pandemic season and injuries |
| 2021 | Yankees | RF | 129 | +11 | +5 | .995 | 1 | Ranked top 3 in AL right field defense |
| 2022 | Yankees | RF / CF | 148 | +8 | +4 | .992 | 1 | MVP year with strong two-way play |
| 2023 | Yankees | RF / CF | 106 | +3 | +2 | .992 | 1 | Missed time but remained above average |
| 2024 | Yankees | CF / RF | 134 | -2 (RF: +4 / CF: -6) | -6 | .989 | 2 | Struggled in CF, excelled when moved back to RF |
| 2025 | Yankees | RF / DH | 119 | +3 | +4 | .993 | 0 | Split time with DH duties; still elite arm and awareness |
Career Totals (2017–2025)
| Category | Value |
| Games in Outfield | 1,017 |
| Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) | +64 |
| Outs Above Average (OAA) | +25 |
| Fielding Percentage | .991 |
| Errors Committed | 14 |
| Assists | 62 |
- Best defensive season: 2021 (11 DRS, .995 fielding percentage)
- Most challenging season: 2024, when a shift to center field impacted range metrics.
- Consistency: Judge has posted positive DRS in 7 of 9 full seasons.
- Legacy stat: His +64 DRS since 2017 ranks second among AL right fielders over that span, behind Mookie Betts.
The 2025 season brought familiar disappointment
This year’s award again slipped away. Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu earned his second consecutive Gold Glove, leading all AL right fielders with eight Outs Above Average and seven Defensive Runs Saved.
Judge, limited by injuries, spent more time at designated hitter to preserve his health for the playoff push. As a result, his defensive opportunities were few. Despite his reputation and metrics, the pattern of being overlooked continued.
Why previous snubs sting harder
For Yankees fans, the repeated snubs are frustrating. Several past Gold Glove nominations have gone to players with inferior defensive numbers. Juan Soto, known primarily for his offense, once received consideration. Former Yankee Clint Frazier even earned a nomination during a season when Judge posted far better defensive statistics.
In 2022, when Judge combined elite defense with a historic offensive year, the award went to Kyle Tucker. While Tucker deserved recognition, many believed Judge at least deserved to be a finalist. The following year, his strong defensive showing after injury again went unnoticed.
The trend has become so consistent that some fans compare it to actress Susan Lucci’s long Emmy drought — 19 nominations without a win before finally earning the trophy. Whether Judge will ever break that cycle remains uncertain.
Time running out for defensive recognition
Judge will turn 34 in April 2026. His days as a full-time outfielder may be nearing their end. Persistent elbow issues will likely lead to more time as a designated hitter next season. The Yankees are expected to ease his throwing load early in 2026 to protect his arm.
Once Giancarlo Stanton’s contract expires, Judge will likely shift into DH duties full time. That transition could mark the end of his chances to finally earn a Gold Glove. His defensive peak has already lasted nearly a decade, but the accolades never followed.
The moment that might define everything
For many outside observers, one moment in the 2024 World Series may have unfairly shaped Judge’s defensive reputation. In Game 4 against the Dodgers, a fly ball slipped out of his glove while he played center field. The miscue helped turn the tide of the game and the series, which the Yankees ultimately lost.
That play, though uncharacteristic, lingers in public memory. It overshadows years of flawless work in right field — the diving grabs, perfect throws to third base, and home run robberies that thrilled Yankee Stadium crowds.
The irony is that Judge’s mistake came while he was playing out of position. His defense in right field ranks among the best in baseball, yet the one slip on the biggest stage might have doomed his Gold Glove chances for good.
The competition keeps winning
The American League right field pool remains deep with talent. Betts dominated the position for years before moving leagues. Abreu has emerged as a back-to-back winner. Adolis Garcia of the Texas Rangers continues to post standout defensive seasons.
Voters tend to reward players who already have the award, creating a cycle that favors past winners. That makes it even harder for Judge to break through, no matter how consistent he remains.
From 2022 through 2024, Judge’s offense often overshadowed his defense. His record-breaking power drew all the headlines, while his glove went mostly unnoticed outside New York. His 64 Defensive Runs Saved and 25 Outs Above Average since 2017 place him among the elite defenders of his generation — a fact that will likely go unrecognized by awards voters.
What gets left behind
Judge’s career with the Yankees is already one of the most accomplished in franchise history. He will eventually enter the Hall of Fame as one of the organization’s most beloved players. His offensive numbers guarantee it.
Yet his trophy case will always lack that one piece — the Gold Glove that never came.
For those who watched him anchor right field in the Bronx, the truth is clear. Judge has been a complete player — not just a towering slugger, but a disciplined, dependable defender who made difficult plays look routine.
Still, when his Cooperstown moment comes, the story of Aaron Judge’s missing Gold Glove will remain one of baseball’s quietest mysteries — the award that slipped away from one of the Yankees’ greatest all-around players.
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