Aaron Judge Turns His Season Around with a Simple Adjustment
Struggling through the first few weeks of the season, New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge knew he needed to make a change. Hitting just .207 by the end of April, Judge decided to alter his stance in the batter’s box.
On May 5, facing Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Judge made a subtle adjustment. Instead of his usual open stance, he closed it slightly and stood a little straighter. The result? A solo home run that sailed into the bleachers in right-center field at Yankee Stadium.
Since that game, Judge has been on fire. Leading the American League with 42 home runs and 106 RBIs, he has reclaimed his place as one of the best hitters in baseball. With a batting average of .328, Judge is chasing the prestigious Triple Crown title.
Reflecting on his adjustment, Judge noted that it made him more comfortable and improved his performance against sliders and away pitches. His hitting coach, James Rowson, emphasized the importance of making these adjustments to maintain a good feeling at the plate.
While teams are now intentionally walking Judge more often, he remains focused on fine-tuning his approach and finding comfort in his stance.
As Judge continues to excel at the plate, his subtle adjustment stands as a testament to the ongoing evolution and refinement of a player striving for greatness.
(Top photo of Aaron Judge: Gregory Fisher / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
