Aaron Boone has run out of words to describe Aaron Judge.
“Is he better [than he was in 2022]? Maybe,” said Boone before Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
The Yankee captain has performed to such a level this season, that it’s fair to question if he is a step above where he was when he smashed 62 homers to break the American League home run record on his way to his first career MVP award.
Judge has added another award to his resume as he was named the AL Player of the Month for June. The 32-year-old slashed a scorching .409/.514/.864 with 11 homers and 37 RBI in 25 games during the month.
The slugger is performing at a level that is just levels above everybody else. Slashing .321/.440/.718 with 32 homers and 83 RBI, the six-time All-Star is leading baseball in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, homers, RBI, doubles and total bases entering Wednesday. His batting average also leads the AL which means he is the current holder of the Triple Crown.
“He’s a generational hitter,” Boone said. “We’ve seen that phrase thrown around but I think that rings true [for him]. His level of at-bat day in and day out, that’s something that I don’t think any of us have ever seen. Just as quality of an at-bat as you’re going to face anywhere at any time.
“Just his understanding of who he is in the batter’s box, it’s pretty impressive.”
Judge got off to a very slow start this season slashing .207/.340/.414 during the first month of the season. However, the Yankees superstar has rebounded in such a way that his AL home run record is in jeopardy of being broken by himself just two years after being nearly untouchable for 61 years.
QUESTIONS AT THE TOP
Anthony Volpe has faltered in recent weeks.
The 23-year-old is slashing .182/.204/.236 in his past 24 games entering Wednesday. The shortstop is setting the table for Juan Soto and Judge, a crucial spot for the success of the Yankees offense.
With Volpe struggling, Boone did not seem committed to keeping the gold glover atop the order should his struggles continue.
“It’s a fluid situation,” Boone said. “[It’s] something that I’m paying attention to. He’s on the end of hopefully a little downturn. Hopefully, we look up in two weeks and he’s hot and those numbers take a turn.”
Volpe was slashing .290/.355/.448 on June 5, however, his slump has plummeted his season numbers to .257/.311/.384 and has not homered since May 16 against the Minnesota Twins.
