Fans want Yankees to shake up lineup to counter Aaron Judge’s intentional walks

The New York Yankees faced an unusual problem over the weekend: their star hitter and captain, with 41 home runs, Aaron Judge, was intentionally walked four times by the Toronto Blue Jays, including three times in one game. This strategy by Blue Jays manager John Schneider was a clear indication of the fear Aaron Judge instills in opposing teams. With the Yankees winning the series 2-1, the situation raised a pressing question among fans and analysts: Should the Yankees consider moving Juan Soto, who currently bats second, behind Judge in the lineup to counter these intentional walks?

Aaron Judge’s intentional walk dilemma

The Yankees’ series against the Blue Jays highlighted a growing concern for the team. On Saturday night, Judge was intentionally walked with two outs and nobody on base, a rare occurrence that underscored the Blue Jays’ reluctance to pitch to him. Schneider’s post-game comment was telling: “I honestly didn’t feel like seeing him swing. That was kind of it. He’s in a different category, I think, than anyone else in the league, where he can just flip the script of a game with one swing.”

The next day, Judge faced a similar fate, being intentionally walked three more times in a close game. This made him the first Yankee in almost 25 years to be intentionally walked three times in a single game. The situation left his teammate, Juan Soto, frustrated. “It sucks. You want him at the plate. I’m doing my best to put him up, and you see them pass him over. It just really makes me mad. I don’t like that. I want them to challenge him and see what he can really do. It is what it is. It’s part of the game. They’re trying to win too, so you respect that,” Soto remarked.

This trend raises a significant issue for the Yankees. If opposing teams continue to intentionally walk Judge, it could severely limit his impact on games. This scenario has led to discussions among fans and analysts about a potential lineup change, specifically moving Soto behind Aaron Judge to protect him from intentional walks.

Reddit weighs in: Should Aaron Judge bat second?

A Reddit thread has sparked a lively debate on whether the Yankees should switch Judge and Soto in the batting order. The thread’s original post argues for the change, stating, “This is the time right now to switch Judge and Soto in the batting order….Soto need to be hitting 3rd with Judge 2nd.” The post emphasizes that even knowledgeable managers are now opting not to pitch to Judge, suggesting that placing Soto behind him could force opponents to pitch to Judge.

One commenter, u/Flamethrower753, expressed concerns about the potential downside of this switch. They argued that if Judge bats second, his two-run home runs might turn into solo shots due to the Yankees’ inconsistent leadoff hitters. “Until someone steps up as a bonafide leadoff hitter (cough, Jazz, cough), we’re better off sticking with the current arrangement with Soto batting in front of him,” they wrote.

Another user, u/TakingInitiative649, disagreed, stating, “Of Judge’s 41 home runs, only six of those have been when Soto has been on base. I still feel it’s the move.” This perspective suggests that while Soto’s on-base presence is beneficial, it doesn’t significantly influence Judge’s home run production.

User thediesel26 offered a counterpoint, noting, “Soto being on a lot when Judge is up in fact provides the protection for Judge that you think batting Soto behind him would. Pitchers pitch to Judge because they don’t want 2 men on.”

The thread also touched on the broader implications of the situation. User mattld remarked, “Judge has transcended all those considerations. You are now seeing him getting walked in almost any situation. The only thing that could protect him would be another Aaron Judge.”

Some fans, like u/Steinsgate009, expressed frustration with the current situation, stating, “Disabling the best players in the league even for a game or a series is not a good look for the sport as a whole imo.” Others, like u/twobridges94, believe that the Yankees’ current offensive production—leading the league in runs scored—means there’s no need for drastic changes.

The road ahead: Stick or twist?

The Yankees aren’t likely to change a successful batting lineup based on one series and a single manager’s strategy. However, if a pattern emerges where opposing managers keep intentionally walking Aaron Judge, and the hitters in the fourth and fifth spots aren’t driving in runs, it could become a real issue.

In such a scenario, the Yankees might consider an unconventional solution: moving Juan Soto to bat after Aaron Judge instead of before him. This adjustment could compel opponents to pitch to Judge more, knowing they can’t simply walk him to face Soto with a free base.

With Giancarlo Stanton recently returning from injury and Austin Wells performing well in the cleanup spot, a lineup shake-up doesn’t seem imminent. It all depends on whether pitchers continue to challenge Aaron Judge or opt for the intentional walk. Will the Yankees stick with their current order or make adjustments in the future? What do you think? Leave your comment below!